Abandoned in Florida dock: the haunted casino ship of a mob victim

The haunting remains of the Blue Horizon casino cruise ship, once the hub of all gambling activities, is now rotting away in a Florida dock. Still fully equipped with slot machines, gaming tables, and casino chips, the ship belonged to the late restaurant and casino tycoon Gus Boulis, who was murdered in a mob hit back in 2001.Haunted Casino Ship: The Eerie Tale of Florida's Blue Horizon | SpicyCasinos - Hottest Bonuses 2025

A Ghostly Reminder of Gambling’s Golden Age

Photographer and urban explorer Leland Kent shot the haunting images of the Blue Horizon. Known for documenting abandoned places on his website AbandonedSoutheast.com, Kent’s photos show a casino frozen in time slot machines and tables still set for high-stakes games.

Once part of Florida’s “cruises to nowhere” industry, the Blue Horizon sailed into international waters, bypassing state gambling laws. The ship last operated in 2016 before its owner, PB Gaming, went bankrupt, leaving the vessel to languish.Haunted Casino Ship: The Eerie Tale of Florida's Blue Horizon | SpicyCasinos - Hottest Bonuses 2025

The Rise and Fall of Gus Boulis and SunCruz

The Blue Horizon was previously SunCruz VI, part of Gus Boulis’ SunCruz casino fleet. Boulis, a Greek immigrant turned millionaire founded SunCruz in 1994 after catching on to the potential of casino cruises. His idea became incredibly popular, but Boulis faced relentless scrutiny from authorities, culminating in legal troubles over his citizenship status.

Forced to sell the fleet in 2000, Boulis reached a $147.5 million deal with lobbyist Jack Abramoff and associate Adam Kidan. But the deal soured when a fraudulent wire transfer was discovered, and Boulis tried to take back control. Gambino mobster Anthony “Big Tony” Moscatiello allegedly ordered the hit to prevent Boulis from returning.

A Business Left to Drift

Since Boulis’ murder, SunCruz VI has changed hands multiple times and seldom sailed for any length of time. The rise of Florida’s Seminole casinos and expanded gambling options elsewhere have made such enterprises far less lucrative. Today, the Blue Horizon is a rotting relic of another time, its interiors an eerie tribute to the once-thriving industry and the violent legacy of its former owner.

 

We want to remind you that gambling can be addictive. If you notice any signs of gambling addiction, please seek help at gambleaware.com. For more support and information, visit our Responsible Gambling section.

Too bored to read this article? Watch video on our YouTube Channel and subscribe for more videos!

Join SpicyCasinos Telegram and Twitter channels for exclusive promotions.