Exploring a Huge Abandoned Casino Boat - Hit the Jackpot!

Docked up to never go out on the sea again, Today we explore a defunct ghost ship used as a casino and closed in 2008. Started in the 1980's, one family had the desire to open a casino but the project seemed like too much money for a giant building. So they improvised and created this vessel, The Casino Boat! Tours would go out to sea, into waters that would be legal for gambling. Sadly its time came and went, and the 1980's themed ship fell into disrepair and now lays at it's final resting place. If you enjoy the video, leave a thumbs up and subscribe for more exploring content!
All drone shots were filmed by @Kelly.Cav.Jpeg , so big thanks to her for allowing me to use them!
Instagram @ Dark.Exploration

[@DarkExploration]

Ghost ships are always super fun to explore and this was a unique place. The sound of creaking and swooshing water while aboard is always scary at the same time also knowing it's been stagnant for so long. If you enjoyed leave a thumbs up on the video to help me out :) have a good one !

[@CurlyVeil]

Beautiful 🙌🏼

[@webeeankylosingspindylitis7838]

Hi Devon! What an amazing find, I'm thinking that all the wheelchairs are for the elderly because they love casinos. They love doing the slot machines.plus they usually don't have much else to do 😊

[@KortKramer]

LOL at all of the wheelchairs. I'm guessing the name of this stars with an ...H?

[@tinacatharinaeden2711]

I grew up around ships and on the water and loved this video so much. It must have been a beautiful ship in its day. You can tell they used quality materials for it to have been kept fairly well sitting on the water. Sad because as you said it it listing to one side and will eventually sink if no repairs are made. :( I really appreciate your calm manners and respect for the places you visit. Your videos are great. Keep exploring! 😍

[@KortKramer]

@Ian Duke - LOL, my folks took that movie when I was in middle school so we could have "the talk" later. Progressive for the times.

[@GLING17]

I greatly respect the fact that you guys keep the locations you investigate a secret so other people don’t come and destroy the properties with their graffiti and vandalism. Love the videos and keep up the good work! 👍

[@DarkExploration]

These places dont deserve the fate they evidently get when destroyed. We like to preserve history to maybe return years later and see that nothing has changed

[@GLING17]

Dark Exploration Films That is great that you guys do that because a lot of urbexers don’t!

[@iworkout6912]

Vandals will quickly destroy these boats for no good reason...Spray dumb remakes on every wall. and just tear apart whats left. Much like the rioters we have in the cities.

[@thatoneguy6776]

This video highlights the old riverboat casino "Ockerson" which is docked at Hamms Harbor in Chillicothe, Illinois.

[@graemeturnbull1961]

Dr. Konoa Wheeler Dr off what? Stupidity maybe. The whole point is not identifying the location to keep the vandals and fools away.

[@johnvize3636]

That is an old Corps of Engineers dredge from the 1930’s or 40’s that was repurposed in the early 1990’s as a dock for an operational casino boat on the Mississippi River. It also held slot machines, ticket office, bars, etc., and they left a lot of the old dredge equipment as sort of a museum/casino in conjunction with the actual boat which tied up next to it.

[@Boot_185]

That imprint on the floor is where the slots were

[@kimberlinton5783]

I watch a lot of different exploration videos. I just have to say you are one of the most respectful people doing this. I applaud you for comprehending that these are so much more than just abandoned places. I hope your compassion for what has been will continue to touch more people.

[@bulkhungry]

Note no giant engine and no bridge , just security booth . This was likely not an operational ship but only a permanently anchored " offshore " casio . This was frequently done in many US states to skirt antiquated anti gambling laws on the books when States wanted to open up legal gambling for revenue without drafting new laws . This has been pretty much done away with , to my understanding , in the wake of 2004 Katrina .

[@FrauYaU]

There are still a lot of casino boats on the Missouri River in between Omaha and Council Bluffs because gambling is illegal in Nebraska, but legal in Iowa.

[@EarlofBaltimore]

You are correct. This barge was part of a floating casino complex which included a steamboat and 3 permanently moored vessels.

[@davidm3maniac201]

@Steven so many of them but i cant find this one. If i knew the name of boat i could find it

[@EarlofBaltimore]

@@davidm3maniac201 I would love to share what I learned, but I have to respect the content creator. I can't stand vandalism either, so I support his decision. Giving the name of the vessel would totally give away it's current location. Think of it as solving a mystery. Clue #1 is my comment above. This is a pretty unique configuration. When you research that look for distinctive features you can find in the video. There are items on the upper deck that are clues. Happy hunting!

[@grandinosour]

Many of these boats just had a generator powering an electric motor that was submersible. This is not a long distance boat, so no "bridge" is needed. There are some boats that are totally controlled at a small table set up on a high location with minimal controls and a radio. These are intended to just get out in the middle of the river to gamble a few hours, then return to the dock. You don't really need anymore equipment than what you would find on a small pleasure boat.

[@Mel-md6cb]

If I was a homeless dude, I’d totally claim this boat as mine until authorities kick me out. 😁😅

[@lindsaythompson1617]

My thoughts exactly 💯 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

[@jerryrogersmith9238]

Hell yeah

[@rangersasc]

Homeless shit i'm thinking of moving there now

[@rockyperez2828]

Did you see all that money lying everywhere. You got any idea what brass is selling for these days

[@rockyperez2828]

I'm truelly surprise that boat hasnt been torn apart already

[@CrazyblondeBiotch01]

I'd love to buy it and fix it up. It would make an amazing houseboat. Even if I never left the dock, I would live on that bad boy like a queen . Tfs

[@awefawn7793]

this is a “casino boat”; lots of those were made to never actually be a boat, but were simply there to get around certain laws. the casino nearest me is still a boat to this day.

[@davidm3maniac201]

Thats a good idea. I would love to do that

[@shawnhampshirehick101]

Do IT! Need a first Mate? Travel & experience & Exploring? I need a 📷 camera lady.👍

[@johnny-becker]

Sounds like a nice idea on paper but the costs would far exceed the boat's value.

[@whitelightning2]

It's a barge technically, no engines. you'd need a tugboat to pull you around. haha

[@ligaya7887]

You know I have been searching for interesting videos online. And old houses and structures really catches my attention most of the time. Your videos are helpful in a way where I couldn't even explore places right now due to covid, and your videos satisfies my love for old things and places. You're very respectful too, appreciate that 💞

[@MerlinKernow75]

Such a shame that old boat is being left to rot away like that.

[@austinglass1916]

just imagine all the memories

[@thomasball3658]

It is a shame.

[@jimmyfaustjr6413]

Its a shame but so cool to see.

[@austinglass1916]

Life Quest thank you for the insight, nice work

[@TheNightHeCameHome]

Just Amazing...That boat were really something.. May it rest peaceful ⛴ Thanks for the tour around.. Stay Safe - Enjoy Life ❣🇩🇰

[@Laevi__]

I could understand your feelings and I even smelled the oil in the engine room, having bought an abandoned hotel barge myself. It's a great sensation to walk around for the very first time. It's all normal now we have fixed most of it and live on it. This brought back so many memories.

[@briansmith2875]

You live on a old hotel barge? Thats so awesome. You should make a video on it

[@Kanamit.]

*That $1 dollar poker chip has some serious collectible value, if not historical. It would've left in my pocket.*

[@jimkruse3243]

$1 chips from Casino Rock Island might bring $1, there are thousands on the collector market

[@darylschmidt917]

I used to work in a casino they have to but the gambling addiction thing by law

[@snoopdoggthecertifiedg6777]

Let me just say: these videos are awesome. I love the music and camera work

[@cooperharlin5177]

What music

[@ATonofSmiles]

Naw man his exploring rate is -2 smh this video was disappointing

[@snoopdoggthecertifiedg6777]

Cooper Harlin constant ominous bass

[@snoopdoggthecertifiedg6777]

AToneofSmiles I didn’t even watch the video :> I was just early

[@waynewilliams5802]

@@snoopdoggthecertifiedg6777 maybe u two can meet and u can toss his salad since he's so wonderful

[@alliehearst4862]

You have such an authentic style and it is one of , if not the best urbex channel on KZbin . Thanks for taking us all on little escapes into what feels like another world

[@DarkExploration]

Glad you like and enjoy. Thanks for the constant support 🤍

[@johnnyjoey]

That was one of the coolest and most unique explores I’ve ever seen! Great job finding it!

[@thatsmissjtoyou]

I’m thinking it’s docked in Louisiana, or Mississippi… That’s where our original casino boat came from in 1996.. Love these videos

[@thatoneguy6776]

This video highlights the old riverboat casino "Ockerson" which is docked at Hamms Harbor in Chillicothe, Illinois.

[@hippielilly865]

@@Corny6251 I was thinking it was an old casino boat for St. Louis.

[@CICWSfirearms]

@@thatoneguy6776 I knew it! I just drove past this earlier this week while at work.

[@brendaaugustine4925]

I just enjoy your videos immensely! I'm new to these types of videos, but I am shamefully admitting they are habit forming! Thank you.

[@rumrun11]

Looks like the casino boat from " Ozark"

[@daltonhoward985]

Dude I agree. Were just missing gangster hillbillies, cartel members & a seemingly normal white middleclass family lolll

[@AlbertInSanAntonio]

Lol thats exactly the first thing that came to my mind

[@nickbakker6963]

An interesting explore, Dark! Thanks very much - and looking forward to your next upload! Stay safe!

[@spiritofpast900]

Ahhh how I love those locations

[@mxdr65]

Awesome explore!! so nice when there is no vandalism. Excellent find.

[@Stevie_B_0828]

Another great location and great exploration, guys. Thank you for ur post, and for once again keeping ur integrity by not damaging the property or stealing [not even a token] from locations you investigate. Nice work. 😉👍

[@ginaferracini5014]

Wow love the staircase and chandeliers and this is all on a boat..thanks for showing this casino

[@idipped2521]

That "be a germ stopper" poster reeks of 2005

[@hidebarnes8188]

Ur voice is soothing and vids r relaxing

[@indyrollz74]

The way you urbex and edit video is 👌🏼 letting us, the audience just enjoy the video with a dash of music and you talking. So classy and chill

[@DarkExploration]

Im Glad that you enjoy my style

[@JustMeandMySelf2]

I love the editing in the proper people's videos

[@ploveness0312]

How interesting... love this

[@rwm1]

Reminds me of the late MVS Kanesville Queen. I worked on it for 10 of the 13 years for Harrah's. It got scrapped. I managed to get a lifejacket and buoy from the new owners. Broke my heart to see it towed away. So many similarities between this ship and mine.

[@MaybeItsMandelad]

Incredible! Seriously Incredible!

[@jdexploresfan3628]

Such a dope ship 🚢 love the wood work. Thanks so much for the awesome video 😃👍

[@seanfox9560]

You guys continue to captivate and amaze me keep it up. I don't know how you found these places but who cares keep it up glad you are so successful doing what we love!!!

[@drscopeify]

Very cool history to it and a great explore. It reminds me how Nevada has small towns with Casinos close to the border with neighboring states that do not have Casinos or at least did not in the past that attracts the more casual casino-goers like Jackpot NV on the border with Idaho and West Wendover on the border with Utah as well as Elko NV but that has turned in to a resort town.

[@SergeantExtreme]

For those who are curious about the history of this ship, and why it became abandoned, it's because the owner of the ship built a $151 million 43,000 square foot hotel and casino on land back in 2007. When the 2008 Depression hit hard, there wasn't enough customers gambling on the boat to justify continuing operations; so they docked and abandoned the boat in 2009.

[@Gypsy839]

I respect the way you guys explore

[@paulanull8731]

The whole boat is amazing in its decor. So much left behind I would not have left but saved for reuse. I especially was astonished the chandellers on the main level were still there. Lovely green and brass lights I would have never left behind.

[@tonteek1936]

If this boat was where I think it was, my Grandma probably gambled on that boat! Cool video 👍

[@artwigwa]

Awesome explore 👌 pls keep up the good vids!! :)

[@AnaSantos-ij9dt]

Wonderful !

[@nicolepowell5470]

Those staircases were amazing and the white metal planters, love the architecture of the place so sad it's going to rot.

[@sandih9084]

That was really kool to see. Thanks for sharing 💕

[@ForgottenProductions]

What a unique spot, thanks for sharing bro 🙏

[@ShiverzInJapan]

Amazing how in tact everything is! An awesome find!! The tape decks were ca cool find. First time seeing your vids, subbing!

[@josepharndt113]

That's one big boat!

[@iworkout6912]

Thanks for the tour of this boat...Reminds me of all the cruise liners now being scrapped in India, Pakistan. Some are only 20 years old. Big ships, but supposedly not big enough for todays market, pre Covid-19.

[@melygon6487]

One of my favorite youtube channels!

[@hi.panorama]

I am totally struck by this view! ♥ I bet being in this casino in its heyday was something really amazing. The founders has a really good idea with it in this sea-form. It is a shame the fate of this casino went so far but it is still breathtaking. My thumb up for you is always certainly.

[@kimb4285]

Another amazing video, what a beautiful boat it would have been in it's heyday, loving your video's, your voice is very calming, love your accent. On to another, thank you.

[@suzannebirkholz8757]

Very cool explore. Thanx.

[@RJ-luci]

Nice work!! Quite fascinating.

[@brettwinkelmanjr6381]

Very awesome and interesting at the same time !

[@jordynhissom2941]

I am a casino employee, in regards to your comment about it being ironic that a gambling addiction sign would be in a casino, it is often a requirement by the gaming commission. It’s part of our internal controls and we have the gambling addiction hot line EVERY WHERE.

[@kpietran61]

Good to see you again. Have missed your videos

[@jackielong9927]

You’re fantastic with your videos and background music! Really enjoy them. Stay safe ❤️

[@mikefitchNYC1971]

Awesome exploration!

[@ScaryMaryyy]

This is such a great video. Your voice is very soothing, and you really respected the space. Thank you!

[@dellahaloo8415]

🤯great explore 😀👊🏼🔥💥👍🏼🤘🏼

[@exploredthis]

Whoa dude this is such a great find so much cool stuff left behind surprised there’s a lot left and little to no vandalism great stuff we love exploring places like this ✌️💯👍

[@zackneutze8525]

damn this is lit. And early squad!

[@DistrustHumans]

13:18 Federal Minimum Wage sign reflecting min wage increases from 2007-2009 from $5.85/hr to $7.25/hr.

[@JosieSchuller]

Nice to see an abandoned place where someone actually reused some of the equipment (kitchen).

[@grandinosour]

This was probably leased kitchen space. A gambling operator would lease space to a private restaurateur to operate as a seperate business. When the boat went "under" (pun intended), the restaurant owner took his appliances and equipment because he owned them.

[@whitelightning2]

I guarantee they auctioned it all off, that's common practice.

[@fay8687]

Its a shame they don't take light fixtures, wheel chairs etc and donate or sell

[@BoredAtWork2000]

I always find it interesting to see the things people choose to take versus leave behind

[@arthurfsintefii5162]

Excellent Video. Thanks

[@iLikeMyBassHARD]

Lemme start off by saying I love your videos ! They are awesome But this is the first time I heard that bomb ass intro beat ! That was amazing lol

[@joer7327]

Great find. Great video

[@clairesims7275]

Very interesting and what a shame it’s left to rot. I’d love to go on that casino boat I can imagine it in its hey day - great find 🌹

[@martincervantes7265]

Love these videos thank you👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Very nicely put together video and very entertaining as well. Thanks for posting this.

[@MAGA-kw3ol]

I don’t want to disappoint you but that’s just a barge the only time it moved was when it was towed into place

[@Fredy_The_Yeti]

Makes sense as to why there wasn't a steering wheel. But I do have to wonder what all of the piping is for, surely all of that isn't just plumbing and heating.

[@FlyinRaptorJesus]

@@Fredy_The_Yeti No idea, could possibly have put faux pipes in just for the "ship" look?

[@1BEAVIS13]

@@Fredy_The_Yeti For the bilge pumps.

[@jimmyjames6267]

It was a ship at one time, just refitted into a Casino attraction

[@demoads2909]

Amazing .

[@melsattitude8668]

Really neat. Thank you

[@MrL4t3]

Nice explore !

[@discostew115]

Neat how the made a motorized barge look like a real riverboat

[@Punchinelli]

Love these vids. Great camera work. I would love to live in this after it's renovated.

[@KortKramer]

Nicely done. Quite a find!

[@kristinalasic4439]

Liked so much 💖💖💖

[@brendakrieger7000]

So awesome! I love boats. Earned my subscribe for this one!

[@hnanetoo]

Seems like Marty and Wendy missed this one 😏

[@JamieJaftha]

Damn, I was gonna make an Ozark reference but you beat me to it 😁

[@hnanetoo]

Jamie Jaftha lol sorry 🤣

[@CurlyVeil]

Amazing video 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@MrVxrman]

Good video I enjoyed it m8y 😃🍻👍🏻

[@jamess6961]

That would make a super cool houseboat 👍🏼

[@clairecpdxx8862]

How amazing would it be if you could watch those videos to see what it used to be like. Love the videos

[@amandataebby]

Wow what a unique find! Nice video

[@hardcore504]

Great video! I worked on the river for many years on tugs and I always used to see these old things tied up and always wanted to go check them out. But best place to find ghost ships is Brownsville Texas. The have a shipyard there that buys old naval ships to scrap. I actually got to look inside one many years ago. It was the uss saratoga and it was awesome but full of asbestos. They bring aircraft carriers and other naval ships in there to be cut up and scrapped

[@abandonedroadside]

Great explore!

[@moonwalker091000]

What a great find. It really could have been used for something like Murder Mystery cruises. And I love those staircases with the detailed wood. They are my weakness. I think I must have been on the Titanic in my previous life. Stay safe guys.

[@mollylou426]

I love your work, keep it up. Stay safe

[@donnavaughn5393]

Thank you my friend ge

[@francisphillips53]

That was cool..was huge.

[@cory3573]

10:50 when you mentioned this room being emotional, my desktop switched to main menu of The Last of Us playing All Gone (Seasons).. excellent..

[@gena.sottile..HG..]

Always bangers

[@whitelightning2]

I remember this boat, Was on it a few times back when it was in service. I worked on the riverboat casino that was docked across the river from it. Thanks for posting, amazing what it looks like now!

[@moneillyankees]

Where is it? Genuinely curious to hear the story about it, why it went out of business etc..

[@whitelightning2]

@@moneillyankees It didn't go out of business, the state passed legislation to allow them to move onto land, they build a whole new casino/hotel complex about 15 minutes from where this boat used to be docked. I don't want to be "That Guy" that gives the location away ;)

[@andykapsar4667]

@@whitelightning2 what about a state? you dont need to give an exact location, im just cyrious what state its in

[@whitelightning2]

@@andykapsar4667 I'm going to make you work for it... the state was admitted to the Union December 3rd 1818. The actual riverboat was sold in 2016 and is not in this video, what is here is the remaining barge that the boat would dock up to.

[@dreamerjs]

Love your videos! 🌸☮️💜

[@lesliepowell6471]

You do a good job. Keep it up.

[@theresahs5956]

Love your videos!

[@talia77us]

That second staircase got to me. It was so beautiful. I want that place to fix it up just so I can live on it, but doing so would cost way too much. So let me dream and hope someone else will do it.

[@christianpaul3303]

That barge was never meant to go out to sea. It didn't move. Just being on the waterway allowed it to operate. You'll still see that in many states.

[@armanhanyatakuttuhan2508]

very large and very spacious ship. I hope that in the future this channel will always grow

[@thatonegirl4676]

The polaroids were probably of people that were trespassed. Probably hung them up in the security booth in order to keep a lookout for them.