04:16 PM EST on Thursday, November 20, 2003

Associated Press

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- A company hired by the Catawba Indian Nation to assist with economic development has mailed a letter seeking employees for a video gambling operation slated to open next month.

But an attorney representing the Catawbas says the tribe has made no decision to open such an operation.

The tribe is considering opening a video gambling on its York County reservation in December, the letter from Southern Property Management said. The letter mailed this week invites tribe members to apply for 18 jobs. Interviews will be conducted until Nov. 28, the letter said.

The Catawbas would prefer to open a high-stakes bingo hall in Santee to starting a video gambling operation on the reservation in Rock Hill, but the tribe must make alternate plans in case Gov. Mark Sanford and others continue to block efforts to build in Santee, the letter said.

"Accordingly, the Nation and SPM, as their development and management partner, is preparing for the opening of a gaming facility on the reservation that will feature the operation of video poker games as permitted by the settlement agreement between the Nation and the state," the letter said.

Chief Gilbert Blue referred questions to attorney Jay Bender when reached by phone Thursday.

The tribe is seeking federal legislation that would allow them to build a bingo hall that could offer unlimited jackpots and operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Sanford and some legislators have expressed concern that the legislation could pave the way to casino gambling and prevent the state from regulating the bingo hall.

The letter is a direct response to Sanford's opposition, but no decision has been made about video gambling and no timetable has been set, Bender said. Dates for starting a video poker may have been given from a planning perspective, but opening a high-stakes bingo hall is still the most-favored option, Bender said.

Chief Blue has said the Catawbas need more revenue to provide for simple necessities such as education, health care and housing. The state has cut into the tribe's bingo revenue by starting a lottery and relaxing rules for other bingo halls, Bender has said.

"I think the tribe would be foolish to sit back and do nothing," Bender said. "They have to explore options."

State law clearly bans video gambling in the state of South Carolina, a spokesman for Sanford said. A state law that took effect in 2000 bars the games from being operated here.

"If the Catawbas are determined to break the law the governor will be equally determined to enforce it," said spokesman Will Folks.

York County Sheriff Bruce Bryant and prosecutor Tommy Pope also have said they will enforce the law that bans video gambling.