Blackjack boat
Blackjack boat

Casino gambling is allowed in international waters, and a new Florida casino boat intends to take advantage of this.

On November 26, the day after Thanksgiving (sometimes known as Black Friday), a new casino boat christened Jacks or Better is scheduled to make its maiden voyage from Mayport, Florida, heading out into international waters where state and federal gambling laws don’t apply, and it no longer matters which US states allow legalized gambling.

The 500-passenger boat isn’t new, but its owners just finished a $1 million renovation project getting it ready to sail. It still needs to pass Coast Guard certification before it can be used, but its operators are confident.

Jacks or Better will sail twice daily Wednesdays through Sundays with a crew of nearly 100. It will feature 180 slot machines, craps and roulette tables, poker, and blackjack card games. The boat’s blackjack tables are one of the new casino’s heaviest drawing points. Most tables pay 3:2 for blackjack, but the casino will also offer Blackjack Switch, where a natural blackjack hand plays even money.

Passengers will also be able to wager on international sports once the boat passes out of US waters and into the open sea. Separate floors will be offered for smokers and non-smokers.

The new casino boat is fronted by California businessman Mark Slotkin, whose main focus is a high-end antiques business in Beverly Hills. He believes the casino boat to be a good investment. Judging by recent phone and website activity that the Jacks or Better operators are dealing with, he seems to be right on the money.