§1082 Gambling Ships

Summary

People cannot set up, run, own, or have an interest in a gambling ship or a gambling business on one. They also cannot run gambling games or machines on such a ship or persuade, entice, solicit, or let people bet or play there when the ship is on the high seas, or is an American vessel or otherwise under U.S. control and not inside any state’s legal area. Anyone who breaks these rules can be fined under federal law, jailed for up to two years, or both. If the owner is an owner of an American vessel, an owner of a vessel under U.S. jurisdiction, or a vessel owner who is a U.S. citizen, and they knowingly allow this use, the vessel and its equipment and furnishings will be seized and forfeited to the United States, in addition to other penalties.