On Sept. 30, Casino.org reported that Victory Casino Cruises in Florida had furloughed its entire staff because of a longer-than-expected dry dock of its lone vessel, Victory I. There’s apparently much more to the story.
Florida Today was first to report that a federal court has issued a seizure warrant for Victory I and its onboard assets after a plaintiff alleged that the casino cruise operator was delinquent on nearly $800,000 in outstanding bills.
Detyens Shipyards in North Charleston, S.C., filed a complaint in South Carolina’s federal district court alleging that Victory Casino Cruises owes $790,666 in unpaid invoices.
The debt stems from an agreement under which Victory Casino Cruises arranged for Victory I to be docked and serviced at Detyens Shipyard. Detyens alleges that it provided layberthing, storage, ship repairs, and other necessaries to the vessel totaling $940,666. The shipyard says it has received only $150,000 in payment.
Florida Casino Cruise
Victory I has sailed out of Florida’s Port Canaveral for more than 16 years. The casino cruise operated twice-daily trips Tuesday through Sunday, offering more than 600 slot machines, live-dealer table games, bingo, and sports betting once the vessel reached international waters.
Victory I Captain Tim Levensaler attributed the furlough of the casino’s workers to an “extended dry dock (maintenance).” But on Oct. 19, US District Judge David Norton approved a Warrant of Arrest in Rem, a federal court order authorizing the seizure of property, against the vessel.
The warrant is to be executed by the U.S. Marshals Service and authorizes the seizure of Victory I, “her hull, tackle, fixtures, equipment, engines, furniture, freights, apparel, and appurtenances, including slot machines, gaming equipment, and other casino machines.”
Court records reviewed by Casino.org reveal that a federal marshal served the warrant aboard Victory I at 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 28.
Victory Casino Cruises has not yet responded to the federal complaint. The company is required to respond within 21 days of receiving the summons, which occurred on Oct. 16. If it fails to respond by Nov. 6, a default judgment will be entered in favor of Detyens Shipyards.
Detyens is represented by Charleston attorney James Hood of the Hood Law Firm.
Victory Goes Quiet
Victory Casino Cruises has not posted on its social media channels since Sept. 24, when Captain Tim announced the abrupt, extended dry dock of Victory I. The company did not respond to media inquiries about the federal seizure warrant.
On its website, Victory continues to describe the casino vessel as “presently in dry dock.”
“Please still call or check our website and Facebook page for the official date on our first cruise back. We will miss you and cannot wait to see you soon,” the website states.
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