Big “M” Casino boat moves up the coast

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FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla.- A popular Fort Myers Beach hotspot has shipped out and moved north. The Big ‘M’ Casino, a beach landmark since 1997, is now in the Carolinas to stay.

“I did it a number of times. If you are into gambling and liked the experience, it was fine,” said Karen Schmidt.

Schmidt said the casino was a fun beach attraction for people.

The company that owns the casino says the ship has moved out of Southwest Florida for good and joined its sister ship in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, citing high demand for business up north.

“We kind of set our clocks by when it would leave and when it would come,” said Schmidt.

The president of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce says he understands why the boat left. He said it’s just a wait and see if another casino boats moves into Fort Myers Beach.

Businesses tell WINK News they don’t expect the departure to hurt their bottom lines.

“I’m kind of sad for the people who like to gamble, because that’s a fun thing,” said Schmidt.

The chamber also said, it’s almost impossible to say if the area will be financially hit with the move.

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