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South Carolina Casino Boat Bill Passed

COLUMBIA, South Carolina – As reported by Myrtle Beach Sun News: "A bill that lets cities and counties ban or regulate casino boats passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 16-5 Tuesday after a contentious discussion.

"Sen. Jake Knotts, R-West Columbia, put up some of the most vigorous arguments against the bill and attached a minority report of opposition to it that means it can't be brought up without a special vote.

"…Georgetown County, which passed a ban on casino boats, was sued by a businessman who wants to operate out of Murrells Inlet. He won, and the county has appealed to the state Supreme Court.

"The only boats currently operating are in Little River, but others have expressed interest in Murrells Inlet, Georgetown, Edisto Beach and other locations.

"Federal law allows gambling cruises to nowhere unless a state bans them. What the bill intends to do is delegate the state's authority to ban the boats to cities and counties.

"…Knotts and others also questioned the bill's exemption of passenger cruise ships. Most of them have gambling rooms. Previous attempts to ban the boats failed because Republican Sen. Glenn McConnell of Charleston did not want to interfere with their visits to his city…"

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