Bryan proposed bill to allow cruise ship casinos to operate in port on St. Croix

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on Sept. 12, 2024, that he had proposed legislation to allow cruise ships berthed in St. Croix to operate onboard casinos while in port.

Bryan said the measure would apply only to cruise ship passengers and was intended to encourage more cruise calls to St. Croix and increase visitor spending.

According to Government House, the proposal mirrored Act No. 6287, which has allowed cruise ship casinos to operate in the St. Thomas-St. John district for more than 20 years.

Bryan said cruise ships spend an average of 10 hours in the Port of Frederiksted. He also said the administration had allocated $1 million for downtown revitalization work in Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted and Frederiksted, and that a separate $250,000 grant had been approved for Our Town Frederiksted to help revive Harbor Night festivals.

The announcement was made during the weekly Government House briefing.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-proposes-legislation-aimed-at-increasing-cruise-calls-to-st-croix/