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Former Partners Fight for Casino Boats

GEORGETOWN, South Carolina – As reported by the Myrtle Beach Sun: Two former partners in the fight to legalize video poker in South Carolina are the leading players in the push to move casino boat gambling into Georgetown County.

"Wallace Cheves, a former Greenville real estate salesman, and Fred Collins, his former employer who was once known as the 'video-poker king' of South Carolina, have purchased casino boats and plan to set up shop in Murrells Inlet and Georgetown.

"The men, who fought to keep video poker legal in the 1990s, could be the first to usher in a new era of gaming vessels and cruise ships in Georgetown County to replace the machines that once filled video-poker parlors across the state.

"The two no longer work together and have hired separate lawyers in what could be a long fight to bring casino boats to Georgetown.

"…Cheves already has secured a berth at Voyager's View in Murrells Inlet.

"Collins has expressed interest in docking about 20 miles south in Georgetown but faces a city ordinance banning casino boats and a law that prohibits him from docking at the State Ports Authority. He said he will not institute a court battle if public opinion is against him.

"…Both Cheves and Collins have been involved in lawsuits and other legal challenges involving video poker and casino boats, according court records.

"Collins was sued in June 1997 by about 50 gamblers who said he and other gaming-business owners had contributed to their gambling addictions and ruined their lives.

"The suit ended in 2003, with only a few plaintiffs remaining. Collins chose to go to court, but the other business owners settled out of court.

"…Cheves was sued by former business partners over profits involving overseas businesses, according to court documents. That case is continuing…"

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