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Tribal Claim Raises New Gambling Issue in South Carolina4 July 2000COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA -- July 4, 2000 – As reported by Associated Press: "A new gambling battle is under way in South Carolina involving a group called the Southern Cherokee Nation. "Over the weekend, the group brought a 40-foot-by-120-foot gambling boat from Florida up to Lake Marion, between Columbia and Charleston. The boat was loaded with slot machines, gambling tables, roulette and other types of Las Vegas-style equipment. "State Department of Natural Resources officers boarded the Magic Mermaid and then called the State Law Enforcement Division to investigate. "…The boat's owners have paid $7 million for 120 acres near Santee on I-95 to establish a reservation for the tribe and for the theme park. Ridge won't identify the investors other than to say they "have nothing to do with any of the gaming industry in South Carolina." "The Southern Cherokee Nation has applied for federal recognition because it can't run gambling operations without it, Bureau of Indian Affairs spokesman Gary Garrison said. "…The Magic Mermaid is one of two gambling boats that the tribe plans to use to raise money. A second 3,000-passenger casino boat was en route to the Arkansas River in Oklahoma…" |