Little River Eyes Casino Fee Increase Amid Inflation Concerns

Little River Prepares for Possible Changes in Casino Fees

As we settle into fall here in North Myrtle Beach, there’s some buzz in the air about the local casino boats and their potential fare hikes. That’s right, if you’re thinking of hopping aboard a Big “M” Casino boat for some gaming fun, you might want to plan your budget a bit differently starting next spring.

Fee Increase on the Horizon

The Horry County Council recently proposed an increase in the per-passenger fee for casino boats from a comfy $10 to a slightly more expensive $15 starting April 1, 2025. This new fee would be the first adjustment for our local casino operations in about five years—can you believe it’s been that long? Council Chairman Johnny Gardner explained that this change is driven by inflation, saying, “Let’s face it, 10 years ago the cost of living was a lot less than it is today.”

A Brief History Lesson

For those not in the know, this whole casino boat business has been around for a while now. Back in 2008, Horry County started charging a $7 fee per passenger. Over the years, things consolidated and changed, ultimately landing us at the $10 rate we’ve been enjoying. But hold onto your hats; this agreement is set to shift again next spring, with a planned increase in fees.

According to county attorney David Jordan, the banking caper at $15 will not be the end of the line. The fee is slated to rise to $18 per person by 2030, showing that it’s unlikely we’ll see those rates drop anytime soon!

What Does This Mean for YOU?

Now, let’s break it down a bit. Currently, a ticket to board a Big “M” boat will set you back $20, or $30 if you want to include a meal. It’s yet to be confirmed how the company plans to adjust its rates with this new fee in place. Will they raise ticket prices or absorb the cost? We’ll be keeping an eye out for any updates from the Big “M” team, as they didn’t respond to our requests for comments.

Casino Boats: A Unique Experience

If you’re not familiar, the casino boats are a bit of a unique twist in South Carolina. While traditional casino gambling is illegal here, the state allows the casino boats to set sail and start the fun once they hit international waters. The Big “M” sets off six days a week, offering five-hour cruises filled with games like slots, roulette, and card tables, all aboard a boat that can welcome around 450 passengers.

Economic Impact and Community Contributions

Last year, cash generated from these excursions brought in over $877,000 for Horry County. With the new fee structure, if attendance stays steady, we could be looking at around $1.3 million a year, which goes directly towards vital services like police, fire, and EMS in the Little River area.

According to Assistant County Administrator Barry Spivey, this revenue has helped fund much-needed improvements to the Little River Fire/EMS station and even put a fire boat into the community. Talk about a win-win!

Next Steps

The council just gave initial approval to this fee increase on October 1, but we’re expecting a final vote next month. If you’re planning on taking a cruise soon, it might be a good idea to pencil in your trip before any potential hikes come into play.

So, whether you’re a regular in the gambling scene or just looking for a fun night out on the water, keep an eye on updates for the Big “M” Casino, and let’s see what the future holds for our little corner of coastal fun and games!