Chief Gilbert Blue and others involved in the Catawba's proposal made the point in a Wednesday meeting with the publisher, editor and a reporter for The (Orangeburg) Times and Democrat.

"We couldn't go to Santee" without the Indian Gaming Regulation Act because it would not be economically feasible, said Terry Collier of Southern Property Management, which assists in the tribe's economic development efforts.

Federal jurisdiction would free the tribe's Santee operation from restrictions the Catawbas agreed to in a 1993 agreement with the state, including the $100,000 limit on jackpots and a limit of 12 hours of operations per day. There would be no change in the Catawbas' Rock Hill bingo hall that operates under the state agreement.

Having the Santee operation covered by the gaming act would allow the bingo hall to give players the chance to "network" with higher-stakes Native American gaming in other states.

Gov. Mark Sanford told the newspaper Tuesday he opposes gaming act status for the Catawbas. He said he opposed ceding state authority to the federal government.

Republican U.S. Reps. Jim DeMint and Gresham Barrett also oppose the Catawbas' request.

Sanford and other opponents worry gaming act status will make it easier for the tribe to get approval for a casino in Santee.

The tribe is just exploring ways to attain economic "self-sufficiency" and reduce its reliance on the federal government, Blue said.

The Catawbas need to offer bigger jackpots to compete against the state lottery, which has become "the tribe's biggest competitor," said attorney Jay Bender.

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