CATAWBA INDIAN RESERVATION, S.C. (AP) - Catawba Indian Nation Chief Gilbert Blue has purchased full-page ads in two South Carolina newspapers to let those in the Orangeburg and Rock Hill areas know he plans to pursue a proposed bingo operation near Santee despite opposition to the plans.

Blue sent letters to be published to The (Orangeburg) Times and Democrat and The (Rock Hill) Herald explaining the Catawba's position, tribe spokesman Jason Snyder said.

"This is an attempt to let the people of York County and Santee know what the tribe is really trying to do," Snyder said. "This is not an attempt to try to pressure anyone."

Blue said in the letter to Orangeburg residents that the tribe wants to build a bingo hall near Santee. But if the plan for the high-stakes bingo operation fails, the group might open a video gambling operation on its South Carolina reservation near Rock Hill. The tribe already has a bingo hall in Rock Hill that opened in 1997.

Gov. Mark Sanford and others have opposed the 24-hour bingo operation near Interstate 95.

The tribe said it needs additional revenue because it has lost money since the South Carolina Educational Lottery began two years ago.

Information from: The Herald