Wednesday: Casino Cruise

Gambling other than the state-run education lottery is illegal in Georgia and in most other states in the US. If you want to gamble at Blackjack, Roulette or Dice tables, or to try your luck with a slot machine (called one-armed bandits), you have to travel to another state. The nearest one for Georgians is North Carolina. Those casinos are located on Native American Indian reservations which are not subject to state law. To escape state prohibitons against such gambling on the coast, it is possible to take a boat 3 miles from the shore, beyond the long arm of the law, and this is what a casino cruise is all about. Such a cruise from St Simons usually costs only $10, and it includes a dinner, a light snack, and access to more than enough opportunities to lose your money. Thanks to my mother's sharp eye for a bargain, we had coupons from the local newspaper for a free cruise plus $10 in match play. Match play means they match your initial bet. You put down your $10; they add their $10 to it, and if you win, you have to give back the money that they put with yours. If you lose, well, then you are out $10. Dinner included soup, salad, a soft drink, and either a hamburger or sandwich with pasta or potato salad. Alcohol was extra, but as Wednesday is Ladies Night, alcoholic drinks were only $2. Thomas and I had no idea how to gamble in a casino, so we spent nearly the entire time sitting in chairs on the top deck of the ship, enjoying each other's company and the night air. Surprisingly this pleasure wasn't diminished at all by the ship's literally spinning in place once we reached the three mile limit. Apparently, it isn't necessary to go one inch beyond three miles, so gambling cruises don't. When we did finally brave the casino, we spent (i.e. blew/wasted) $10 on the one-armed bandits. I would like to say that I found this entertainment fun, but I can't. What I feel when I am risking my money (even a dollar for a lottery ticket) is more anxiety than excitement. Watching others lose their money is a bit scary for me, too. Our time on the deck, with the view, the fresh sea air, and the gulls, pelicans and few dolphins that we saw made it worth the effort, though. I think we'll do this again, maybe in the fall when the weather is cooler and we can take a day cruise, maybe bring binoculars, a book, the iPod, purchase a few drinks....