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Cruise ships: The new Las Vegas of the seas in the gambling hype!
Discover how cruise ships are competing with Las Vegas with their casinos and what new trends are shaping the market.
Cruise ships: The new Las Vegas of the seas in the gambling hype!
The cruise industry is increasingly becoming an attractive destination for gambling enthusiasts. While Las Vegas saw an 11% to 12% decline in visitor numbers in the summer of 2025, cruise ships appear to be on track to become the new go-to destination for gamblers. This reports Cruise tricks, and also Cruise practice confirms that cruise travel is becoming more and more the focus of those interested in gambling.
The decline in visitors to Las Vegas coincides in part with an overall decline in U.S. tourism. The increased prices for drinks, restaurant visits and hotel accommodation also contribute to fewer tourists visiting the play area. Still, no direct connection could be found between the Las Vegas downturn and an increase in cruise tourism. However, US shipping companies have recognized that gambling is important to their economic viability and are intensifying their efforts to attract this target group.
Cruise casinos and their offers
Cruise ships offer a unique casino experience on the high seas. From the moment the ships reach international waters, the casinos begin operating, with the legal framework based on international maritime conventions. Many ships are registered in countries that have less strict gambling laws, such as Panama or the Bahamas.
- Die Casinos bieten eine Vielzahl von Spielen an, darunter:
- Spielautomaten (klassische und moderne Video-Slots)
- Tischspiele wie Blackjack, Craps, Baccarat und Roulette
- Pokertuniere sowie Cash Games
- Bingo und Lotterien
Offerings vary by cruise line, with luxury lines often providing more extensive and diverse casinos. Responsible gaming is important and there are betting and loss limits to protect players. Technological innovations such as mobile betting platforms and virtual reality are also finding their way into the gaming offerings on the ships.
Future of cruise casinos
The importance of casinos on cruise ships is constantly increasing. The shipping company Royal Caribbean is planning to open the largest casino in the fleet on the “Harmony of the Seas”, which is scheduled to start in Barcelona on May 21, 2026. The casino area there will be increased by more than 40%. The “Legend of the Seas” casinos will also be expanded to two levels to further improve the gaming experience.
Competition between shipping companies has led to new incentives being created for cruise ships. Loyalty programs for casino customers offer perks similar to those in Las Vegas. Partnerships between cruise lines and land-based casino operators were agreed in 2024 to create an even more attractive overall package for guests.
The future of cruise casinos could also be shaped by technological innovations. The introduction of eSports and the use of artificial intelligence and augmented reality promise new entertainment options. At a time when sustainable practices are becoming increasingly important, related legislation could also be revised to reflect this development.
In the short term, short cruises from Florida are particularly popular as they offer guests a similar experience to a stay in Las Vegas, but with the added excitement of traveling on the water. With less stringent gambling laws in international waters, gambling is becoming increasingly lucrative for shipping companies.