Under Senate deal, counties could outlaw casino boats

Thursday, May 19, 2005 | 9:01 a.m.

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Counties could sink casino boat gambling with legislation that sailed out of the Senate on Wednesday.

The Senate reached a final deal that would let counties outlaw casino boats that now embark on so-called gambling cruises to nowhere.

Boats already operating by Jan. 1, 2005, would have five years to move on, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, said.

That grandfather clause "takes care of a situation where there might be a stampede" of new casino boats docking here, McConnell said.

The legislation won't affect cruise ships calling on South Carolina that have gambling equipment and embark for ports outside the state.

The agreement came after a filibuster erupted over a Senate version of the bill, which had been sidelined since May 3. The Senate gave that bill a final reading and sent it to the House. The Senate also inserted the compromise into a similar House bill and gave it second reading.