From Myrtle Beach to Little River: The Big M Casino’s Surcharge Shake-Up!
Hey Myrtle Beach! Have you heard the latest buzz about the Big M Casino in Little River? If not, you’re in for a real treat! These two gambling boats, which dock right here in our little corner of South Carolina, have become quite the hot topic lately, especially with some changes brewing in the local laws.
Adding a Few Pennies to Your Casino Experience
So, let’s break it down. Right now, when you hop onto one of the Big M’s boats, there’s a $10 surcharge that gets added to your boarding fee. This fee goes straight to Horry County as part of a little agreement to allow these floating casinos to park themselves on the Little River waterfront. But hold onto your hats, because starting in 2025, that surcharge is set to climb to $15 per person and then to a whopping $18 per person by 2030! That’s right! It looks like we all might be shelling out a few more bucks for a night of fun on the high seas.
What’s All The Fuss About?
You might be wondering why this increase is happening. The county attorney, David Jordan, shared that state laws allow Horry County to charge these casino boats based on the number of passengers they haul. The original agreement set things up with a surcharge of only $7. However, a revised agreement back in 2015 allowed for the possibility of an increase. They kept it at $7 for five years and then made the leap to $10 in 2020.
Now here’s where it gets interesting: the increased surcharges will kick in after a three-part council reading, so keep your ears to the ground. If you’re a fan of the floating casinos, you might want to participate in the conversation!
A Beloved Local Attraction
The Big M Casino is kind of a big deal for Little River and beyond. It’s the only casino operation we have here in South Carolina, and let’s face it — where else can you go gambling just off our shores? That being said, those decks only get down to business once they’re on the other side of the international waters line. As a local, it’s pretty cool to have something so exciting right around the corner.
To put things into perspective for you, since the Big M started docking in Little River back in 2008, they’ve racked up quite a bit for the county — we’re talking a grand total of about $15.6 million! That’s no small change and definitely signals the popularity of our little aquatic nightlife.
Interesting Times Ahead!
As we forge ahead and gear up for these changes, it’s essential to keep the conversation alive. Not only do these boats bring in revenue, but they also create jobs and enhance tourism here in Horry County. Are you planning on hopping on board? Or maybe you’re a bit of a local who likes to keep it chill on land. Either way, there’s no denying the excitement that these casinos bring to our community!
So mark your calendars for those upcoming dates when the surcharge will start to rise – it’s something we might want to discuss with our friends as we’re planning our next night out. Let’s keep supporting our local businesses while keeping an eye on how these changes play out!
In the end, the Big M Casino boats are all about creating memorable experiences, and they’re just a stone’s throw away from Myrtle Beach. Whatever your view may be on the surcharge increase, one thing is for sure: our local waters are never boring!
