Gambling Ship

It is deemed to be against the law for any citizen of the United States, or any other person who is on an US vessel or is within the jurisdiction of the United States, to establish, or hold any interest in any gambling ship or any gambling establishment within any gambling ship.

It is also illegal to conduct or deal any gambling game, or to conduct or operate any gambling device, or permit any person to bet or get involved in any play at any such establishment in an event when such gambling ship is on the high seas or is an US vessel within the jurisdiction of the US.

Any person violating the above mentioned provisions shall be subjected to fine or imprisonment for a term which will not exceed beyond a period of two years, or both.

If the owner of an American vessel use, or intentionally permit the use of such vessel in violation of any aforesaid provision, then in addition to any other penalties provided by, the government may forfeit such vessel, along with the apparel and furniture.

(More: http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sup_01_18_10_I_20_50.html)