Mad about Myrtle: The Casino Cruise to Nowhere
Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. More than 14 million people visit the Grand Strand Beach every year. The casino cruise ships are just three miles off the coast.
The casinos are booming in the state of Myrtle. US laws do not apply in international waters. The boat is equipped with all the accoutrements a casino needs and loaded with eager punters.
Residents of Myrtle Beach and South Carolina were asked if they would rather raise infrastructure funding through a tax on petrol or through gambling. Land-based casinos would be a disaster for the casino cruise business.
The Myrtle Beach casino cruises operate mainly from the Little River waterfront. The SunCruz Aquasino is a 220 foot long boat that can accommodate 600 passengers. Trips last for five hours and a wide range of classic casino games are on offer.
The Big M is a boat that claims to pay out more jackpots than any other casino in South Carolina. The five-hour trip costs $25 and there is an all-you-can-eat buffet on board. Todd Jones and his family visit Myrtle Beach regularly. The BigM is the third boat Diamond Management have owned.
Myrtle Beach is a popular tourist destination. Crime writer Micky Spillane used to judge Miss South Carolina Pageant at Myrtle beach in the 1950s. Thongs are banned and revealing any portion of the buttocks is not permitted. The Carolina Opry was opened in 1986 by Calvin Gilmore and is considered the best country and western music destination outside of Nashville.
Of the 14 million annual visitors to Myrtle Beach, only 100,000 are from outside the US.