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S.C. Casino Boats Offer to Pay Fee

SOUTH CAROLINA – As reported by the Myrtle Beach Sun News: "The casino boat industry is offering to pay Horry County $5 for each passenger - an estimated $1.37 million per year for a decade - if the county abandons plans to tax gambling proceeds.

"The offer was struck Wednesday during negotiations between the county and the owners of Florida-based SunCruz Casinos and locally owned Diamond Casinos.

"The county and casino operators returned to the negotiating table just before Horry County Council takes a final vote Tuesday on taxing the gambling industry's gross proceeds, a move the industry opposes and one that could trigger a protracted legal battle.

"…The boats attract about 275,000 visitors per year, and if approved, the fee could mean about $1.37 million per year for public services, such as fire and EMS in the Little River area.

"Little River is home to South Carolina's only two gambling boats.

"The legislature gave counties the power last year to tax winnings and payouts, charge boarding fees or ban the boats…"

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