As reported by: The Associated Press
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., says federal legislation for a high-stakes bingo hall in Orangeburg County will help the economically depressed area, but Gov. Mark Sanford worries the bill could be unlucky for the state.

The proposed bill would grant the Catawba Indian Nation a high-stakes bingo hall in Santee.

Sanford, a Republican, wants to know whether placing the tribe under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act would make it easier for the Catawbas to get a casino in the future.

"My concern is that this bill could open the door for other forms of gaming in South Carolina," Sanford said.

The Catawbas are the only federally recognized tribe in the state. They won the right to operate two bingo halls as part of a 1993 land claim settlement with local, state and federal governments.

The tribe opened their first high-stakes bingo hall in Rock Hill and are now seeking approval for a second site in Santee in Clyburn's district.

Clyburn said the tribe needs the federal legislation to designate a piece of property off Interstate 95 as the second hall location.

Clyburn has been circulating his proposal among members of Congress, seeking their support.

U.S. Reps. Gresham Barrett and Jim DeMint, see potential trouble in the proposal

Barrett, R-S.C., said he sent the proposal to the Congressional Research Service, the analytical arm of Congress, which pointed out "some loopholes."

"If there's a provision in there that might potentially bring full-blown casino gambling to South Carolina, I'm going to fight it," Barrett said.

DeMint spokesman John Hart said the South Carolina Republican has "serious concerns with this legislation."

Catawba Chief Gilbert Blue said the tribe is not aiming for a casino.

"Putting my honor on the line, there is nothing in this bill that would give us anything but Class II Bingo," said Blue, referring to the type of game the tribe is authorized to operate.

Robert Gip, a nationally known lawyer for Indian tribes who is working with the Catawbas on the Santee project, said the law forbids the Catawbas from building a casino.

There can be no casino "without the consent of the state," Gip said, pointing to a section of the proposed bill that excludes the Catawbas from certain remedies under the Indian Gambing Regulatory Act.

Clyburn said other tribes have the right to be governed by IGRA and there is an element of prejudice involved in the worrying over applying it to the Catawbas.

"If I was a Catawba, I would sue the state of South Carolina."