ChipGuide - The Online Information Source For Casino Chip Collectors

S. S. Monte Carlo

Coronado, California
Type: Illegal
Status: Closed
Open: 1932, Close: 01/01/1937

The S. S. Monte Carlo was a gambling ship originally anchored three miles off of Long Beach, outside the boundary of state and federal law. Beginning in 1936, she was anchored off of Coronado in San Diego. During a storm on New Year's Day in 1937 the anchor lost its hold and the ship drifted onto the beach in front of what is now the Coronado Shores condos. No one claimed ownership because, once on shore, this gambling and prostitution ship was illegal.

Grand opening advertisement from 5/3/1932 (San Bernardino County Sun).

About Illegal Casinos - by their nature, information about illegal, or unlicensed, casinos is hard to find and difficult to verify. Information presented on the ChipGuide about these casinos is provided as the result of our best efforts but may not be 100% accurate. Even if the information is accurate, gamblers move around and may take their equipment with them; items used in one casino may have also been used in others. Please send verified information about illegal casinos to the ChipGuide so that we may improve our accuracy.

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Casino Money

Odds & Ends Chips (2) [QuickView]

CG233117 Obsolete
Added: 2019-11-29
Last Update: 2023-08-13
Color: Green
Mold: Hub
Inlay: HS Gold
Contributed by: Ed Hertel

Faint ink-stamp; S.S. Monte Carlo, 1375 W. 7th St., Long Beach. Possible counterfeit chip. See Gene Trimble comment below.

CG273578 Obsolete
Denom: $10
Added: 2021-11-10
Last Update: 2023-08-13
Mold: Hub
Inlay: hot stamp
Contributed by: Ed Hertel

"S.S. Monte Carlo" ink stamp, possible counterfeit chip. According to illegal casino historian, Gene Trimble; "S.S. Monte Carlo ink over stamp was put there by a California collector with a rubber stamp he bought at a yard sale. The chip has nothing to do with the S.S. Monte Carlo." (4/16/14 ChipBoard post)

Casino Equipment

Dice (1) [QuickView]

CG283956 Obsolete
Added: 2022-05-03
Color: Red
Inlay: white
Contributed by: Torrey Morand

Casino Collectibles

Match Books (2) [QuickView]

CG150116
Issued: 1936
Added: 2015-09-11
Contributed by: Dave Hepburn

CG225298
Issued: 1936
Added: 2019-06-27
Last Update: 2019-06-27
Contributed by: Doug Deems

Other Items (3) [QuickView]

CG156788
Added: 2016-01-31
Last Update: 2016-01-31
Contributed by: Colorado Public Library

Ad, During the Great Depression, the Monte Carlo offered guests dining, dancing, drinking, and the chance to try their luck at the gaming tables. The Monte Carlo and ships like it were dubbed "Sin Ships" because of their questionable services.

CG218917
Added: 2019-01-29

Ad

CG218918
Added: 2019-01-29

Ad

Total Items (8)