Abandoned SC mall could soon become the state’s first casino. What we know
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas … and now South Carolina, too?
The Palmetto State is inching closer to getting its first casino in the small town of Santee, located in Orangeburg County, right off of Interstate 95.
While South Carolina has some of the strictest gambling laws in the nation, a re-opened bill is pushing the state closer to legalizing casino gambling. This bill, holding a decades-long battle between developer, Wallace Cheves and the Catawba Indian Nation, is seeking to award casino licenses in certain counties within the state and hopefully permit this massive development plan.
Cheves, the Greenville-based millionaire casino developer, recently introduced plans for a $1 billion casino and resort at the former site of the Santee Outlet Mall, which has been closed and sitting vacant for over a decade.
While nothing has been approved, here’s what you should know about this proposed development.
Why in this SC spot?
The proposed casino resort is planned for the site of the former Santee Outlet Mall, which has been vacant for over a decade. It is located off of I-95 at 1500 Village Square Boulevard in Santee.
Santee Development Corporation, owned by Cheves, has already purchased the vacant mall, according to the developer’s webpage.
Situated within the Santee River Valley, this proposed location is within a convenient proximity to larger areas in the state, including Columbia, Charleston, Florence, Beaufort, all within an hour and a half drive and Myrtle Beach, which is 2 hours away.
In addition to transforming the abandoned outlet space, this proposed development is intended to support the economic climate of Orangeburg County, bringing jobs, tax revenue, tourism and more to the area.
Who’s paying for it?
Santee Development Corporation estimates the development of the casino and resort to bring over 4 million annual visitors from in and out of state.
The development is proposed to be privately funded, with no public money or state incentives involved, according to Cheves. The current estimated construction cost is $1 billion.
“We strongly believe that this investment should be driven by private enterprise, not taxpayer dollars,” Cheves said in a statement.
With funding fully planned through private funding, the Santee Development Corporation states, “Not a dime of public money would be used. There are no state or county incentives. And no subsidies.”
What’s the bill?
Casinos are currently prohibited in South Carolina.
To put this plan into action, developers are working with legislators to pass a bill that will amend the South Carolina Code of Laws.
This bill, titled the I-95 Economic and Education Stimulus Act, aims to establish the South Carolina Gaming Commission to award casino licenses in select rural counties in the state, including Orangeburg, where Santee is located.
It was introduced on March 6, 2025, and if passed, would regulate casino gaming along the I-95 corridor of South Carolina.
The bill has been reported favorably by the House Ways and Means Committee and is scheduled for debate in the House on May 7, 2025.
If the legislation passes, the project could proceed, marking a significant development for Santee and the broader Orangeburg County. The final step for approval goes to the governor, who must sign the legislation into law.
If passed, the Gaming Commission would be responsible for establishing rules and regulations governing casino gaming operations, ensuring compliance with state laws and overseeing licensing processes.
To track the bill or learn more, visit the official bill page: SC Bill 4176 – Gaming Commission for the full text and detailed legislative history.
What are the benefits & drawbacks?
An economic development study by the developers shows that this project would bring a boom to the Santee area, including:
$75 million in annual tax revenue
A total of 4,618 direct, indirect and induced jobs annually
Over 4 million visitors
$404.3 million in labor income
Furthermore, developers state this development would support existing businesses, hotels, restaurants and more in the Santee area due to the anticipated uptick in tourism activity.
One of the larger concerns for this massive project includes issues with crime, addiction and social harm.
Santee Development Corporation has stated that they will implement and partner with the following entities to combat these concerns:
Implement strict security measures
Surveillance
Law enforcement partnerships
Anti-money laundering protocols
Self-exclusion programs
Funding public awareness campaigns
Partnering with organizations that support individuals with gambling addiction/problems
The resort could open as early as 2026 or 2027 if approved, creating added competition for the existing casinos in nearby North Carolina.
Who is Wallace Cheves & Santee Development Corporation?
Cheves is a millionaire businessman based in Greenville, SC. He has experience in real estate, beverage and gaming industries as an entrepreneur and investor.
He is the principal of Santee Development Corporation and played a pivotal role in developing the Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, North Carolina.
Cheves is also part of an ownership group that runs Grup Ronaldinho, an international business management firm specializing in acquiring sports franchises. He’s also a part-owner of the Greenville Pro Soccer organization, which oversees Greenville Triumph SC and Greenville Liberty.
What is the Catawba Indian Nation?
The Catawba Nation Gaming Commission is the head regulator of Catawba Two Kings Casino.
According to the organization’s webpage, they protect the integrity of games, the safety of employees, patrons and assets.
The Catawba Indian Nation operates this bingo hall under a federal compact, but it is limited to bingo and certain electronic gaming devices.
What are SC’s current gambling laws?
South Carolina is one of the few states in the nation that has resisted the recent uptick in gambling interest.
The only form of legal gambling belongs to the state lottery, meaning that all sports betting, land-based and online casinos, Daily Fantasy Sports and sweepstakes casinos are prohibited.
The Palmetto State does allow and regulate bingo, offshore gaming and the South Carolina Education Lottery.
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Abandoned SC mall could soon become the state’s first casino. What we know."
