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South Carolina officials to board casino boat

Posted on July 4th, 2010

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Officials of North Charleston, South Carolina are set to take a boat ride aboard The Diamond Casino boat on Thursday to have a firsthand look of the floating casino and to study whether it would be beneficial for the state to have the Diamond on its shores. The Diamond Casino is currently in the Bull River in Georgia. North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey, other members of the City Council and staff members will go across state for a scheduled tour ride on the said casino. The “fact finding trip” as coined by Julie Elmore, assistant to the Mayor is also considered a meeting for the council leaders and members. Mayor Summey expressed last winter that his government was looking into the possibility of allowing and operating floating casinos on North Charleston to be placed on the old Navy base. Summey is considering the possible income that the casino will bring in to the city.

The City Council however is already torn on this issue with some members in favor and some who are not. Others think that if the casino proposal can bring at least $1 million in revenue then it may be a worthy investment for the city. This issue has long torn the city officials, those in favor are citing the revenue possibility a casino can contribute to the city, opposing groups say this move is setting a wrong image for the city and may have other social disadvantages. As early as the 90’s, South Carolina has attempted to introduce floating casinos but their efforts were thwarted when the Cost Guards declared that the boat violated some terms, casino boats were quickly banned even before the violation was resolved.

In 2002, the City officials required boat owners to make payments of $100,000 in fees and permits and a 10% payment from gross revenues. Estimated earnings for the city from these payments be from half to $2 million for one boat alone. The money will then be used to create more recreational places such as parks across the city, said Mayor Summey. City officials then made a proposal that explained the fees and would have ordered the boats to take positions only on industrial areas. This however was not pursued after facing intense debates from opposing members of the council.

After some time gambling eventually was able to creep in to the city after a bill was passed that allowed the local government to either accept or reject gambling proposals. Since then, boat tours have been in operation in the city after some courtroom encounters, and is now running in Little River. Boat tours that were able to sail in the city included usual activities that was common in other boat tours such as live entertainment and card games.

Opposing groups have given the tag of “voyages to nowhere” to these boat tours saying the boats sail around nationally until gambling can legally take place on a certain city or state. The city is said to earn from the boat tours by requiring a certain percent of gross sales to be paid to the city, the same for ticket sales and dockage fee, restaurant and hotel sales, and licensing fees. The increase in tourists coming in to the city and bus tours sales can also benefit the city.

The Diamond Casino currently employs about 100 people, is 200 feet long that can carry about 150 passengers. The casino features 240 slot machines and 18 table games aimed at gamers who wants the “Vegas style excitement, Diamond also boasts of its outstanding restaurant that offers a delicious menu, and cocktails that are available at any time. Complimentary drinks are also being offered for as long as a player continues to play.