Offshore casinos on floating luxury rigs

You may have seen the floating island that was designed by BMT. Naturally, one of their potential buyers are casinos, who might want to operate outside of the territorial waters of a country.

Although, I am sure that the first idea would be putting a high roller casino 12 miles off Los Angeles, I think that you would still have considerable expense of bringing supplies and workers back and forth. In addition, the US (prompted by Indian Casino money) would make some claim about the Exclusive Economic Zone.

I would think it would be easier to negotiate with Mexico and put this island in the economic zone (if outiside the territorial seas of Mexico). Possibly Mexico might even be persuaded to change their laws, and allow such a thing near the empty Coronado islands. The VIP guests would come by helicopter, but the ship with supplies, and relief for the personnel would come from the port in Ensenada.

The Coronado Islands are about 100 statute miles from Long Beach Airport (which is roughly a 40 minute helicopter ride). But it is under 50 miles to McLellan Palomar near the wealthy areas of northern San Diego County. There are other executive airports as well.

Since Sands is the most likely company to run such an operation, and once they find out that Mike is nearly fluent in Spanish, he will probably get the job of hosting the blackjack whales at sea.





For the "little whales" or for emergency supplies or medical evacuations.


The idea is not new. There used to be a casino on the Coronado Islands (probably in the 1930's).

Quote: pacomartin

once they find out that Mike is nearly fluent in Spanish, he will probably get the job of hosting the blackjack whales at sea.

I'll suggest a shark tank, like they had in The Spy Who Loved Me, for players who don't pay their markers.

I've heard there's a ship with a casino just outside Mexican territorial waters off Chetumal, Quintana Roo.

Quote: Wizard

I'll suggest a shark tank, like they had in The Spy Who Loved Me, for players who don't pay their markers.

One of the reasons I suggested the Cornado Islands is that there are great white sharks there.


One question that people may have, is if there used to be a casino on these islands, why go through the expense of building a floating pylon.

It's a reasonable question, but on the other hand if you are investing a billion dollars (assumption), then you might want the possibility of towing to a new location if the current one becomes politically sensitive.

Reminds me of the old TV series, Mr. Lucky, where the title character operated a luxury casino ship stationed "outside the 12-mile limit" and shuttled people to/from the coast by speedboat. It was all tuxedos, mink stoles, and such. I may be misremembering, but I think it was supposed to be situated off the coast of Los Angeles.

Quote: Doc

Reminds me of the old TV series, Mr. Lucky, where the title character operated a luxury casino ship stationed "outside the 12-mile limit" and shuttled people to/from the coast by speedboat. It was all tuxedos, mink stoles, and such. I may be misremembering, but I think it was supposed to be situated off the coast of Los Angeles.

I did say that it is not a new idea, but the designs are better. Especially in heavy seas, and without the requirement to anchor.

Many such ships were outside the territorial limits but the cops and particularly the DA kept going after the water taxis that operated out of Santa Monica and San Pedro. The problem with flags of convenience is that everyone knows a land-locked poverty stricken nation in South America is not going to send a flotilla to do battle with the US Coast Guard off Pasadena, CA.

Quote: FleaStiff

Many such ships were outside the territorial limits but the cops and particularly the DA kept going after the water taxis that operated out of Santa Monica and San Pedro. The problem with flags of convenience is that everyone knows a land-locked poverty stricken nation in South America is not going to send a flotilla to do battle with the US Coast Guard off Pasadena, CA.

Which is why a low budget ship cannot sit outside of LA and operate a casino. You can't just taunt governments and blatantly circumvent laws. They will find a way to circumvent your supply lines.

I am talking about a well-funded operation, environmentally friendly that brings high end tourists to the Coronado islands. Adventure sports like scuba diving with large sharks in the area. Patrons arriving by helicopter. Small high end gambling (tables and $25-$100 slot machines). Job provisions for Mexicans in northern Baja with regular ships coming in and out of the port in Ensenada.

Las Vegas Sands has been doing well in 1st QTR of 2012, so they may not be interested in a new destination for whales. In Vegas, the slot handle increased almost 19 percent to $483.8 million, while wagering at table games jumped nearly 28 percent to $609 million, mainly because of more baccarat play.

Paypal co-founder to build a city on the sea


A good idea refuses to die.

Peter Thiel is putting his money behind Blueseed, a company that promises to create an offshore luxury barge where young entrepreneurs can work, live, and socialize, all without the constraints of a modern city — or pesky immigration laws. The idea is that startups and solo entrepreneurs will leave their terrestrial lives almost completely, and call the Blueseed ship their primary home.

I feel the need to point out one particular absurdity that I noticed:

There are TWO helicopter pads on this barge, but only one visible pool!

Quote: DJTeddyBear

There are TWO helicopter pads on this barge, but only one visible pool!

The barge is more of a tax dodge than a cruise ship. Presumably the residents will spend close to their 180 day limit on a visa in extended stay places in San Francisco. They will also spend some time in other parts of the world. Transportation will be a higher priority than swimming.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

I feel the need to point out one particular absurdity that I noticed:

There are TWO helicopter pads on this barge, but only one visible pool!

Nerds don't swim.

Where would the supplies come from? Water, Fuel, Internet?

What about the waste? How do these "Visaless" folks get to the ship in the first place? Wouldn't they need to enter the US in order to take the ferry? Everyship needs a flag... Where would they be registered?

Perhaps a ship may not be the best concept for a home for the "visaless". It's not always easy living on the sea. These giant floating airships may be able to handle an equivalence of the 5,400 passengers of the largest cruises ships. Perhaps they could drift north and south from Vancouver to San Francisco, carrying passengers for the short haul, and residents who may be in special status. They could take on supplies as needed, and the visaless could entertain visitors.

Gambling might be an additional business,


It would save the flotilla of ships shuttling people and supplies back and forth to the ship.

Quote: Doc

Reminds me of the old TV series, Mr. Lucky, where the title character operated a luxury casino ship stationed "outside the 12-mile limit" and shuttled people to/from the coast by speedboat. It was all tuxedos, mink stoles, and such. I may be misremembering, but I think it was supposed to be situated off the coast of Los Angeles.

I watched a few episodes of this show on Amazon Prime. The ship only had to anchor 3 miles off the coast of Los Angeles to be in "international waters" back in 1959. Mr. Lucky didn't allow any guns on board, even for his crew, so there were always fist-fights on the show, Times have changed.

The craps table on the show was interesting as it wasn't set up for a four man crew. Rather, the stick was also one of he dealers, and the players could shoot from the middle positions that today, are staffed by the stick and boxman.