As reported by: The Associated Press
An Upstate businessman who wants to operate gambling cruises-to-nowhere from the docks of this sleepy Colleton County beach town faces a fight from town officials.

Wallace Cheves of Greenville has requested a business license to operate the cruises with the vision of the Palmetto Princess catering to Charleston, Hilton Head Island, Walterboro.

"We want a first-class operation, not necessarily to cater to Edisto but to possibly bus in people from Charleston and Hilton Head for day trips," Cheves said.

But Edisto Beach officials say Cheves can't drop anchor in their waters. Town ordinances prohibit "any gambling device on a vessel within the waters of the municipal boundaries of the Town of Edisto Beach." If there was any doubt about the purpose of the law, it also includes language specifying day cruises.

"I think he would have an uphill battle to locate within the town of Edisto Beach," said Linda Woods, town administrator.

Two ships operate out of Little River, but efforts to locate similar boats elsewhere along the coast have been stymied by local ordinances such as the one in Edisto Beach. The ships carry gamblers off the coast beyond the 3-mile line marking international waters, then fire up slot machines and open table games such as blackjack, poker and roulette.

Mayor Burley Lyons said no business that poses a threat to the "pristine" nature of Edisto Beach has a chance of locating in this tiny hamlet on the southeastern coast of Edisto Island.

"The people around here will fight 'til death do you part," Lyons said. "This town council will not violate that ordinance or change it."

Many communities along the coast, including the city of Charleston, have passed ordinances banning such ships. North Charleston, however, has toyed with the idea of allowing gambling day cruises to operate from Cooper River docks.

Cheves said is suing Georgetown County, which passed a similar measure blocking such gambling ships after he tried to locate in Murrells Inlet in 2002. He said uniformity is the argument and that it is illegal to allow casino boats in one county, Horry, and outlaw them in others.

That case is awaiting a hearing.

Cheves said he would consult with his lawyer about whether to bring a similar suit against Edisto Beach.

"The people I've talked to there in the food and beverage industry are excited," Cheves said. "Edisto is packed in the summer and dead in the winter. This might bring stability to an uneven market."