Page 68: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 1993)

GAMING VESSEL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

To stay on top of the fast-paced gaming vessel market, owner/ operators and builders alike must keep abreast of new and potential legislation on the state ievel. The following informa- tion was excerpted from the

Transportation Institute's latest update on Riverboat Gaming

Legislation. For more informa- tion on the particular specifi- cations or status of a state's gaming laws, or to subscribe to the report, contact: Trans- portation Institute, 5201 Auth

Way, Camp Springs, Md. 20746; tel: (301)423-3335; fax: (301)423-0634.

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ALASKA

In 1993, House Bill (H.B.) 240 was the first gaming bill introduced since 1990. If passed the bill would allow gaming aboard ferries. Intro- duced by Representatives Moses and

Bunde, the bill currently is in the

House State Affairs Committee.

The first half of Alaska's two-year session ended in mid-May, and it reconvenes in January. Most re- cently, an August 1990 referendum to establish casino gaming in the state failed courtesy of a 65 percent "no" vote. Some casino-style gaming is available aboard foreign-flag cruise ships which sail seasonally.

CALIFORNIA

In 1993 Assembly Bill (A.B.) 74, which would allow casino gaming on

U.S.-flag and foreign-flag cruise ves- sels during voyages between Cali- fornia ports, passed the California

State Assembly. The bill was as- signed to the Senate Committee on

Governmental Organization, and was consequently designated a "two- year bill," allowing it to remain alive for the 1994 legislative session.

The committee is unlikely to take action on the bill this year. The state ban on shipboard gaming has been in effect since January 1, 1993.

As stipulated by other provisions of A.B. 74, even if the general ban on shipboard gamingis eliminated, such gaming will only be permitted under the following conditions: passengers are embarked on the vessel for 48 hours (allowed to leave the vessel for scheduled port visits or emergen- cies); meals and lodging are provid- ed for every passenger; gaming is strictly an incidental part of the cruise; shipboard gaming is not ad- vertised within California, other than by means of a photograph and a brief description in cruise bro- chures; gaming does not occur in

California territorial waters; and the vessel visits at least one port other than the port or ports of embarka- tion and final disembarkation.

CONNECTICUT

The beginning of the year saw the introduction of Senate Bill (S.B.) 602 which would allow casino gaming on vessels, specifically ferry boats, on the Connecticut and Thames Riv- ers, and on other bodies of water designated by the division of special revenue. The measure died in com- mittee in March, and the governor reportedly opposes the expansion of gaming in Connecticut. In a related move in April, the New London City

Council approved the plans of entre- preneur Thomas Graver, Sr. to operate the Europa Jet, a Bahami- an-flag vessel, on gaming cruises-to-

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