Cocoa, Florida Police Raid

Its not just the fact that another one of these internet gaming parlors was raided, but what really struck me was the "tens of thousands of dollars" and the location . Cocoa is located but a hop, skip and jump from that large gambling ship that sails twice a day and provides a real casino experience not what the police chief termed "a makeshift casino".

Just what is the allure of paying for internet access to visit these "gambling sites" that are rip offs?

The casino ship officially charges for boarding but all over town there are discount coupons and the fee includes a buffet.

The ship requires a certain dedication of time, where the land based casino, even a crappy little casino like what was raided, offers the leave whenever you want opportunity.

I went on the boat when I lived near St Louis. Possibly the worst looking neighborhood I ever drove into, (except that time when I got lost in the Big Easy in the middle of the night while driving I-10) But I never had any trouble.

Three hour tour -- just like the Minnow.

Interesting, but not really ideal for gambling purposes, IMO. No flexibility.

Here in Florida, there was an internet "café" opened for awhile, until it got busted twice and they changed the law, twice I think. Finally closed them down.

Bingo, dogs, Jai lai -- for decades -- so why some gambling is okay, but not others. Got me? People are weird

Quote: DJTeddyBear

The ship requires a certain dedication of time, where the land based casino, even a crappy little casino like what was raided, offers the leave whenever you want opportunity.

While that statement is most certainly true, I do not think it is relevant since just about everyone going to those internet cafes type things seems to spend the whole darn day there, often far beyond the duration of the real casino's voyage.

Some may not have the required id for cruise ships. Other may not want to be tied down the whole day.

Quote: FleaStiff

While that statement is most certainly true, I do not think it is relevant since just about everyone going to those internet cafes type things seems to spend the whole darn day there, often far beyond the duration of the real casino's voyage.

Well, that’s the same thing as what I said, but in reverse. No schedule. Come & go when you want.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

No schedule. Come & go when you want.

Okay, I guess there is a certain advantage to that, but hardly worth the rip off gambling versus legitimate house edge stuff on the ship.

Quote: FleaStiff

Just what is the allure of paying for internet access to visit these "gambling sites" that are rip offs?

I think the people who frequent these places don't care about value gambling and would just as soon play at their local cafes. I can't imagine what the payback is set at in these places, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was at or below 50%. I think the folks going to these places don't care, don't know, and don't care to know.

It's a minimum of 10 miles from Cocoa to the port. If it's anything like it is here in northeast FL, those 'internet cafes' are everywhere. People who don't want to drive that far, or don't have access to reliable transportation, would tend to patronize a joint closer to where they live.

And yeah, as mentioned above, you can spend all day at the cafe. After 4 hours, they will kick you off the boat.

Flea, do you have a link to the raid story?