Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004 | 11:02 a.m.
County opposes casino boats
GEORGETOWN, S.C. -- A judge is deciding whether Georgetown County can refuse to let casino boats dock in its ports.
And the ruling could affect more than just gamblers. If a judge rules against the county, it could hurt South Carolina's nearly three-decade long support of home rule, or allowing counties to pass local laws when the state doesn't act.
Palmetto Princess LLC is suing Georgetown County, which banned casino boats from docking or picking up passengers in February 2002.
The two sides have 30 days to submit written arguments. There is no timetable for when a judge might rule.
Other coastal counties are watching the case carefully. Charleston County passed a similar ban in 1998, and Horry County officials worry a ruling against Georgetown County might doom Horry County's recently approved moratorium on new boats.
Hotline calls increase
MILWAUKEE -- Calls to a Wisconsin organization that helps people addicted to gambling have continued to increase during the last year and a half, but not nearly at the rate they went up in 2002.
Although the nation's poor economy was cited as a reason for the big jump several years ago, Internet gambling is one possible reason for the latest boost, said Rose Gruber, executive director of the Green Bay-based Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling.
She said the group is worried Internet gambling would keep calls to its number increasing in the future.
The group received 8,322 calls last year, up 10 percent from 2002, Gruber said. It received 7,550 calls in 2002, a 45 percent increase from 2001. Through August, the council received 5,272 this year.
Mayor seeks advocate to protect casino revenue
BILOXI, Miss. -- Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway is asking the City Council to finance an advocate to track any sign of legislation that would decrease the city's share of casino taxes to help close state budget deficits.
The state receives 8 percent of gross casino revenue, while local governments in gambling counties receive 4 percent. State lawmakers may try to shift part of the share that goes to local governments to the state treasury during the next regular legislative session.
"I've added some money in my budget for the mayor's office and asked the council to consider hiring somebody, some firm or someone that would keep their ear to the ground -- not necessarily a lobbyist -- to let us know if a change in the casino tax is being considered and what is being talked about," Holloway said.
If a bill is introduced, Holloway wants someone in Jackson to coordinate a quick response.
Pari-mutuel clerks on strike
DUBUQUE, Iowa -- A group of pari-mutuel clerks at Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino went on strike after contract talks failed to resolve a dispute over health insurance and holiday pay.
The clerks walked off the job Saturday night, marking the first work stoppage in the nearly 20-year history of the racetrack and casino.
"This is not what I want, but (management) kept pushing and pushing," said Wayne Laufenberg, business representative for District 6 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents about 16 pari-mutuel clerks.
Bruce Wentworth, general manager of the establishment, said the strike was a "sham."
"These folks are electing not to come to work when they have great jobs," he said. "That's something we'd like them to reconsider."
Some clerks remained on the job. About a dozen clerks walked out.
archive
