The Catawbas, in an attempt to reintroduce video poker despite a statewide ban in July 2000, recently announced plans to possibly open a video poker operation on their York County reservation if their bid for a high-stakes bingo hall in Santee is stopped.

"We made a deal with the Catawba Indians and spent $50 million from the state and county. But all of a sudden, that's not good enough," Kirsh said. "It's a bad omen in South Carolina, and I will not vote for any video poker operation in this state in any shape or form."

The Catawbas announced plans in August to open Class II bingo in Santee in Orangeburg County. However, Gov. Mark Sanford opposes the tribe's request, which would allow for a 24-hour bingo operation, seven days a week. The high-stakes bingo also would offer larger jackpots.

Under the 1993 federal and local settlement that ended a long-standing land dispute, the Catawbas were recognized by the United States as a limited sovereign Indian nation and were permitted to open two bingo halls.

The Cherry Road bingo hall opened in 1997.

State Rep. Becky Richardson, R-Fort Mill, referred to the current video poker conversations as "deja vu."

"I don't want to fight this fight again but absolutely, I will," she said. "If this battle heats up, I'll heat up too."

Video poker was presented Thursday as the worst form of gambling and a threat to family values by religious leaders.

"South Carolina Baptists oppose any form of gambling and encourage York County to enforce the laws of gambling," said S.C. Baptist Convention President Wayne Dickard. "We're going to be strong in defending family values."

For the Catawbas to blame the lottery as a cause of their reduction in revenue is "a slap to South Carolina," said Rep. Gary Simrill, R-Rock Hill. "I consider what is happening today to be a full frontal assault on the people of South Carolina," he said.

Hayes told the crowd gathered at Thursday's Too restaurant that elected state and local officials are standing in support of local law enforcement and the York County solicitor, who have said they will enforce the state law banning video poker. The Catawbas are not entitled to a video poker operation, Hayes said.

"The law will be the same on the Catawba reservation as anywhere else in the state," Hayes said. "Video poker is illegal. This is an attempt to bring big-time gambling back to South Carolina, and we don't want it."

A spokesperson for Catawba Indian Nation Reservation Development said the officials at Thursday's press conference only helped make the case for the Catawbas.

Catawba leaders have said the second bingo hall in Santee is their first choice. However, opposition from the governor and others has caused them to seek other options, including the possibility of video poker on the reservation, said Jason Snyder of Carolina PR.

"We agree that we don't want video poker back in York County, but it's clear to us we have the right," Snyder said. "It's clear to us the state has diminished the tribe's financial position, but we've offered a compromise, which the executive committee (of the Catawba Indian Nation) believes is a win-win for the state and the Catawba Nation."

Tribe member Deborah Crisco said the Catawbas are a federal tribe, and in her opinion, they should not be under state jurisdiction.

"The state did not oversee the settlement act the way they were suppose to," Crisco said. "Once the settlement act was complete, we were just pushed to the side and they forgot about us."

Contact Denyse Clark at 329-4069 or mailto:dclark@heraldonline.com