Casino Gambling Boats

There are two gambling boats in the Myrtle Beach area, both docked at the waterfront in Little River, just across the Intracoastal Waterway bridge that separates North Myrtle Beach from Little River.

The Gambling Boats take their passengers on the infamous "cruise to nowhere" a few miles off the coast, into international waters, outside the USA jurisdiction, where it's legal to gamble.

The boats are steeped in controversy, and bills threatening to ban their operation are frequently put before the South Carolina legislature, but the boats are currently operating legally.

Many vacationers have found the boats a fun excursion on their trips to Myrtle Beach.

The Southern Elegance casino gambling boat was replaced by the Diamond Girl Two, which was in turn was replaced by the Big M casino boat, owned by Diamond Management, a Myrtle Beach company that operated Southern Elegance.

This newest gambling boat to set sail from the Myrtle Beach area reportedly boasts hundreds of slot machines and 24 Las Vegas-style gaming tables.

The Stardancer Casino Boat, one of the first three boats to operate in South Carolina, closed operations several years ago.