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South Carolina County Approves Casino Fee Deal

SOUTH CAROLINA – As reported by the Myrtle Beach Sun News: "Horry County should enter into a decade-long partnership with the casino boat industry that includes collecting a fee, sharing legal protection and increasing gambling operations, a slim majority of Horry County Council decided Tuesday.

"In a 6-5 vote, the council gave the nod to a passenger boarding fee agreement that would allow the gambling boats to remain in Little River for 10 years and put about $1.4 million into county coffers annually.

"Meanwhile, the owner of a third casino boat is talking about starting up operations in Horry County, alongside Little River's two existing boats, County Attorney John Weaver announced.

"…The council was preparing for a final vote on a proceeds tax for gambling boats, as allowed under state law. But two council members - Chairwoman Liz Gilland and Councilman Mark Lazarus - hammered out the boarding fee agreement with the casino boat industry last week.

"…Under the contract, Florida-based SunCruz Casinos and Diamond Casinos will pay Horry County an additional $5 per-passenger fee for five years and then increase the fee to $6 over a second five-year period. In exchange, the county will allow the casino operators to expand the parking area to allow up to 750 passengers per boat, an increase of at least 100 per boat per trip…"

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