In the state of Florida, the Seminole Indian tribe has the market cornered on casino locations. The Seminoles’ Hard Rock properties, The major properties, under the Hard Rock banner, are in Hollywood and Tampa, FL, and are joined by four smaller Seminole operations in other parts of the state. 

They all offer a complete gaming experience for their patrons, almost a Las Vegas-type atmosphere that you aren’t going to be able to capture anywhere else in the Sunshine State.

Or are you?

One of the best-kept secrets in the casino gaming world is the existence of casino gaming boats. These boats, because of international laws, are allowed to operate in a zone all their own, free from the constraints of state regulation. 

In Florida, there are several of these operations, including Victory Casino in Cape Canaveral and the one I chose to look at, Tropical Breeze Casino, sailing out of Port Richey. In this instance, I found an exceptionally good business that was well-operated and a decent way to spend a day.

A Long History of Offshore Activities

There is a long history of taking certain activities offshore, or outside the jurisdiction of any state or national authority. In 1920, Prohibition was passed in the United States and the consumption of alcohol was outlawed, along with many gambling options throughout the country. The answer to these laws, at least for the rich, was to take them to the high seas or lakes in the right area.

Under maritime law, the regulations of a country only extend within the national waters of the country, recognized as three miles in most instances. These cruises during Prohibition began as a way for people to “get their drink on” legally – once the boat was three miles offshore, the taps could open, and people could freely consume the banned alcohol.

This was also applicable to other things that state (and federal) governments did not allow. Gambling (and, to a lesser extent, prostitution) was an activity that became very popular on these “booze cruises,” with people taking trips out of New York City for six-to-eight-hour jaunts or, for those with a bit more bankroll, weeklong trips that went to the Bahamas or, in Southern locales, to Cuba. 

These were the forbearers of what would become the cruise ship industry, as many entrepreneurs found that they could make quite a bit of money from people wanting to partake in these forms of entertainment.

All Perfectly Legal, Although Sometimes Dangerous

You might think that the individual states could shut down such operations as this, but you would be mistaken. As long as the operators of these boats do not pay out players within the three-mile limit of the state, and the games operate outside that range, then the activity is occurring in international waters and is not bound by the laws or regulations of the state. 

Naturally, some laws are still applicable (no one under 21 is allowed on these gaming ships, for example), but the ships are free to operate in international waters legally – and they do.

The only thing that the state can do is inspect the vessels to ensure that they are seaworthy. This is the case for Tropical Breeze Casino, which operates from Port Richey, FL, and runs every day except Tuesday and Wednesday.

These inspections are just as thorough for these boats as they would be for any passenger vessel sailing out of Florida because the chances do exist for accidents to occur.

In 2004, a casino boat operation out of Port Richey suffered a fire on board the vessel. The National Transportation Safety Board investigated the incident and determined it happened because of poor maintenance by the company operating the boat and a lack of emergency training for the crew on board. In that particular incident, no one was killed, but a crew member was hospitalized for smoke inhalation.

The story was not as good in 2018 for what used to be the sister ship in the Tropical Breeze Casino fleet. 

The Island Lady set sail in January of that year, but the captain was forced to scuttle the ship after a fire broke out on board. Although fifty passengers were able to escape the fire, which burned Island Lady down to the hull, one woman died because of the tragic accident.

All inspections were in order for that vessel before it set sail on that fateful January day, and the crew was reinspected on its sister ship Tropical Breeze I (which operates as the solo ship today) only six months later. The crew, and the company, passed the reinspection without incident, and the company has been able to continue with its business.

On to the High Seas

It is an hour’s drive north of Tampa to get to Tropical Breeze Casino's dockside location, which sails every day except Tuesday and Wednesday. The boarding fee is nominal, running anywhere from free on some days to its maximum of $8, and it ensures a spot for you on the ship, which can have over 100 people at capacity (outside the crew). You are also asked when you purchase your boarding pass what table games you are going to play (if any) so that the operators can ensure that enough dealers are on hand.

As a Marine veteran, I have been on some small ships in my life, but the Tropical Breeze I was rather spacious by comparison. They have approximately 75 operating gaming machines on the second deck of the boat and reports you may find online are inaccurate; on the day I was there, I counted only four machines that were off (apparently broken). 

If these types of machines are your jam, then you could find anything you would want from slots to video poker, and for a wide variety of stakes ranging from a quarter upwards.

Let the Games Begin

The table games were what I was interested in, and Tropical Breeze Casino did not disappoint in that regard. Blackjack, three card poker, Let It Ride, and roulette were on tap on the third deck for the customers (a craps table was on deck, but was not utilized on this trip). 

The minimum bet for all activities was $5, with a maximum of $10, and the tables were staffed with excellent dealers and an outstanding floor manager who kept the games going and fun.

That was the optimal word about the day’s activity – fun! Nobody came on the voyage to make a mint, although you could tell people were there to win, so there was a sense of camaraderie from those on the boat. And there were a few players who walked away with a nice profit from their efforts, including a particular roulette player (kept playing her birthday – 26 – and hitting) and a lucky slots player who scored a jackpot of $500 during the cruise.

Of course, these types of businesses are just like Las Vegas – they were not built on everyone who boarded walking away a winner. But, as the cruise returned to the dock, people enjoyed hanging out with each other (or topside in the open air, where karaoke was going on), sharing the fun of the trip. 

This is what made it different from what you might see in a casino, because the people chose to be on this smallish vessel for several hours – the fun factor of the trip was high and, as such, it made it enjoyable for everyone.

Lots of Fun, But Not a Regular Deal

Would I suggest a regular diet for these gaming cruises? Probably not – smoking is allowed on the boats and, even as a former smoker, you had to step out for a breath of air occasionally. Drink and food, while nicely priced, were not what you would see in a land-based operation (you can only take so much on a boat). 

Still, I could see myself coming back to this type of operation again – Tropical Breeze Casino might not be my first gaming choice, but it is one that people should consider if they’re looking for a short jaunt and some pleasant company while (trying) to make some money.