Casino open while close to shore?

We're cruising around the British Isles, probably won't be far from shore at any time, will the casino be open once we pull up anchor or leave the dock? Anyone experienced in this international policy? Thanks.

When I did the British Isle cruise last year, the casino was closed most of the time. It was only open on the sea days and I think just a couple of nights for just 2-3 hours. One of those nights, it was only open from 6:00-9:00, so no time to play unless you skipped dinner.

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We did a NCL Star British Isles cruise last September. Their casino was open every day. Opened about 30 minutes after leaving the Port.

Once the ship is outside of the Countries control and in international water, the casino will open. That is why that sometimes it might be an over night sail to a port just a fairly short distance away. Move into open waters to be able to open the casino. They like the income.:D

I remember once hearing that the determining factor for a ships casino being open or closed was when a port 'pilot', foreign or domestic, was about to be brought aboard to take control of the ship or when the ship was at anchor or tided to a dock. Any truth or is it the old 12 mile off shore rule? Besides, how would the authorities know weather or not a casino was open before anchoring or docking?

I remember once hearing that the determining factor for a ships casino being open or closed was when a port 'pilot', foreign or domestic, was about to be brought aboard to take control of the ship or when the ship was at anchor or tided to a dock. Any truth or is it the old 12 mile off shore rule? Besides, how would the authorities know weather or not a casino was open before anchoring or docking?

Pilots just ride along and help the crew navigate, they don't actually "pilot" the vessels. Ships hire them for liability reasons and in most ports they hop on and drink some coffee with the captain then jump back off.

When a ship operates in local waters they are subject to the local government's laws. Casinos aren't legal in many places so they can't be open until the ship is out far enough. Local authorities have the right to access an inspect ships, it'd be pretty obvious if they were breaking laws.

I've seen US Coast Guard members board in Galveston and leave with us before. Local police could do the same thing.

I was told that the reason ships don't open their casinos in ports is that they have to pay taxes on the money to the port they are in.