Casino Boat Legislation Wednesday June 08, 2005 10:13pm    Posted By: Theresa Acker Do you think the U.S. needs to send more troops to Iraq?  Yes  No  Not sure ___  ABC News 4 Interact  ___    • Signup for eNews Alerts    • ABC News 4 Pulse Poll    • Whats Your Opinion?    • Printable Version    • E-Mail This Story Charleston, SC - New legislation in South Carolina may be a jackpot for casino boats.. but, that depends on where they are. Governor Sanford signed a bill giving local governments the power to decide for themselves if they want the gambling boats.The games hold the promise of fun and riches.. a promise, some local governments want no part of."It's not to say that people who want to gamble are an undesirable group of people- it's just that their fun and recreation is different from the fun and recreation we want to attract in Charleston," City Councilman Bob George says.This weeks legislation gives them absolute power.. but years ago, both Charleston City and County passed ordinances prohibiting these gambling cruises to nowhere.. they're not alone..Georgetown County is also adamently against bringing casino boats into their waters.. they, too, passed an ordinance.. but, weren't sure if it was legal.. now they know.Gambling was briefly allowed in 2001 when the Magic Mermaid set sail from Berkeley County.. it was shut down.. and now there are no ordinances on the books there.. North Charleston is another city which could possibly allow casino boats to dock.. but, it may be a heated debate for council.. One board member told me he plans to propose an ordinance banning them.. another says she's 100-percent for the floating casinos.. Any ordinance already in place.. will have to fit within the new law. "As long as they don't gamble, that's fine- dinner cruise is fine this is just a gambling cruise to nowhere," George says. » Find More Articles Related To This One Copyright 2005 WCIV, LLC.

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