South Carolina casino ships continue drawing North Carolina gamblers

A pair of casino cruise ships based in Little River, South Carolina, continue to draw gamblers from North Carolina, offering slot machines and table games just beyond state waters. The Big M Casino, located roughly one mile south of the Brunswick County, North Carolina border, operates two vessels that take passengers offshore to legally gamble.

The ships sail daily, except on Mondays, departing from Little River Inlet and traveling three miles out to sea. Once beyond South Carolina’s maritime boundaries, gambling operations begin, as federal law does not regulate casino gaming in these waters.

Both ships offer live dealer games, including blackjack, roulette, 3 Card Poker, and Let It Ride, in addition to slot machines. Ship I features 159 gaming machines, while Ship II, the larger of the two, has 249 machines, according to company officials.

Marketing coordinator Eda Ekincigil said in a statement that the casino pays out an average of $383,000 per week and has recently added new slot machines to its fleet.

Passengers pay $20 per trip, with half of the fee allocated to a port tax collected by Horry County, South Carolina. Since April of last year, the tax has generated $15.6 million for the county, which includes Myrtle Beach, according to Ekincigil.

The casino ships provide an alternative to North Carolina’s existing gambling options. The state has legalized mobile sports betting and operates a full casino in the western mountains. A new casino is set to open in 2026, 35 miles west of Charlotte, further expanding gambling access for residents.