Suit Could Reopen Talks About Bingo in Santee

SOUTH CAROLINA -- As reported by the Times and Democrat: "The Catawba Indian Nation — which is still seeking authority to open a high-stakes bingo operation in Santee — is preparing to file a lawsuit against the state of South Carolina.

"...The Catawbas will argue that the state has unilaterally changed the 1993 settlement of a land claim that gave the tribe the right to operate two bingo operations in South Carolina, Bender said in an interview.

"One of those bingo halls must be within the boundaries of the original land claim in the Rock Hill area. That facility opened in 1997, but has become far less lucrative in recent years, Bender said.

"One reason is the education lottery. The state has superseded the Catawbas as the preeminent purveyor of games of chance.

"Another reason is the $18 fee that the tribe must charge all bingo customers just to walk in the door. The state requires the fee, which cannot be reduced, tiered or waived.

"...The tribe also will ask the court to acknowledge its right to offer video gambling on its York County reservation..."