Aquasino launch delayed again

LYNN – Aquasino gambling boat owners are trying to pin down parking for their Marine Boulevard operation before they launch their sailing schedule, beginning in late June.Owner James Walsh said he has been unsuccessful so far in negotiating a lease for a 250-space parking lot owned by National Grid and located yards away from Aquasino?s dock.?We need that lot. We?ve got all the city officials working on it,” Walsh said.Walsh said he hopes to nail down pierside parking for his gambling ship in time for the four-deck, 225-foot-long Aquasino to start sailing in a couple of weeks.?We?re shooting at the 28th of June,” Walsh said Wednesday.Walsh said he has offered National Grid $30,000 a year for five years to use the utility?s lot but said National Grid wants Walsh to pay $60,000 a year. National Grid spokeswoman Deborah Drew did not confirm lease amounts discussed by both sides but said the utility?s broker “has had some discussions with the casino boat operator.”In an electronic mail statement, Drew noted that environmental work done on the parking lot site was paid for with National Grid ratepayers charges.?Any financial arrangement with the casino boat operator or any other party would have to be equitable and fall within any state regulations. We recognize that the casino boat is a priority for the community,” Drew added.The ship also needs to complete U.S. Coast Guard inspections scheduled to start June 24.Walsh, a longtime local harbor business operator, originally planned to start gambling cruises in May and then pushed his start date back to June 15 after sailing the Aquasino from Florida to Lynn and starting ship renovations and employee training.The ship has a website listing an 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. sailing schedule Wednesday through Saturday and a 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday schedule.Drew said National Grid is “reviewing what options are available to proceed” with parking arrangements for the gambling ship.?In addition to financial compensation for the property, other issues such as insurance, liability protection, security and other related issues would need to be worked through,” she said.The owner of Elevator Interior Design confirmed Wednesday that company representatives are discussing parking arrangements for Aquasino employees and customers on the Marine Boulevard firm?s property with gambling boat owners.?We?re not adverse. We are negotiating something,” John Antonellis said.Aquasino ticket prices start at $13 and the ship can sail with 600 passengers and a 60- to 80-member crew. In addition to 250 slot machines, Aquasino has poker, blackjack and craps tables.Workers stapled felt coverings to gaming tables and tinkered with slot machines Wednesday as Aquasino?s General Manager Lisa Walsh worked with food and bar employees, and Chief Marketing Officer Jason Walsh conducted ship tours.?Half our passengers will be able to play slots at any one time,” Walsh explained as he displayed footage for a television advertisement Aquasino operators plan to air on local television stations. The ads feature future passengers who became fans of the ship through Facebook and Aquasino?s motto: “Save your good luck for us.”The ship will take about 70 minutes to sail into international waters where gambling is permitted. Food will be served on the way and will be available at the end of the sailing on the ship?s top deck. Jason Walsh also said operators hope to introduce sports betting on horse racing and other professional games once the sailing schedule gets under way.?We want to roll out everything so that customers really enjoy it,” he said.Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].