MEDILL NEWS SERVICE
Casino Cruises Survive, Ready to Expand
By BEN HARPER
MEDILL NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON-Having survived the downturn in the economy, negative publicity and numerous attempts by state and federal governments to ban it, the gambling cruise industry in Florida says it is healthy and ready to expand.

Also known as "day cruises" or "cruises to nowhere," the floating casinos offer blackjack, craps and other casino games. Some even put on Vegas-style shows. The ships board passengers at private and public marinas and sail to international waters, where Florida laws prohibiting gaming do not apply. Their nickname comes from the fact that they only take passengers out to sea to gamble, rather than to a destination.

There are currently 17 gambling cruises operating in Florida, according to Jean Walder, executive director of the Day Cruise Association, with another four coming on line this fall or winter.

Because most of the ships are privately owned, Walder could not release revenues figures, but did note that they employ about 3,000 Florida residents.

"We've been sailing in Florida for over 20 years now-we're an economic engine and we're bringing tourists in," she said.

Walder said casino cruises also operate in South Carolina, Georgia and Massachusetts and are doing well in those states, too.

Critics have argued over the years that the largely unregulated ships should be subject to taxation and some sort of government oversight. State Sen. Mike Haridopolos filed a bill in the last session of the Florida legislature that would have banned the cruises outright. Haridopolos withdrew the bill amid stiff opposition and instead is conducting a study on the economic impact of the gambling cruises.

"I think we need to accept that we have casinos in the state of Florida and we need to ask ourselves what contribution that industry is going to make to the state," he said. "We need a level playing field, and they need to be regulated like other businesses."

One of the boats coming on line in the next few months will dock at Port Everglades, which currently berths three ships. Day cruises account for about $3.5 million in annual revenue for Port Everglades-4 percent of its total revenue.

"They're important to the port as we try to offer a various mix of cruises-they provide a much broader experience," said Jim Lida, Port Everglades' assistant director of cruise marketing.

Walder said she feels confident that lawmakers and critics will find that the industry has become an indispensable part of Florida's economy, and the cruises will continue to operate.

"We keep Florida money in Florida and keep Florida people in jobs," she said.

Return to America: Taking a Chance on Gambling