Casino boat owner may have to wait a year to sail

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Monday, Jan. 3, 2005 | 9:03 a.m.

GEORGETOWN, S.C. -- A casino boat operator will have to wait at least another year to get into Georgetown County.

Although Greenville businessman Wallace Cheves won the right in Circuit Court to operate his gambling cruises out of Murrells Inlet, the county has officially appealed the judge's decision. That puts his plans on hold until the state Supreme Court can hear arguments and rule in the case.

That process could take at least a year.

"We'll possibly be heard before the Supreme Court by next winter," said Charleston attorney Frances Cantwell, who is representing the county.

If Georgetown County loses the appeal in the Supreme Court, that case will end, Cantwell said.

However, the county also has approved zoning regulations that Cheves says are so restrictive he wouldn't be able to operate. Cantwell said Cheves would have to go to court again to challenge those regulations.