Casinos aboard Carnival Cruise ships and other vessels owned by the Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise operator, are being made over with new table games.
Gamblers aboard a cruise ship play a slot machine. Carnival Cruise ships are upgrading their gaming rooms with new progressive table games from Galaxy Gaming. (Image: Shutterstock)
Carnival’s ships operating under the Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises this week announced a partnership with Galaxy Gaming, Inc.
In the arrangement, the Las Vegas-based gaming manufacturer will bring its progressive table games to the cruise ships’ casino spaces. The Galaxy Operating System, a turnkey game management system, will also be installed on the casino floors.
The Galaxy Operating System, the company says, is a next-generation game management system that will allow the cruise ships to link the progressive tables. The gaming management system also provides for more seamless table gameplay and progressive betting options.
Our vision at Carnival Corporation is to deliver unforgettable happiness by providing extraordinary cruise vacations to millions of guests. To that end, the Galaxy Operating System will help us create a table game experience that is second to none, ramping up the fun, excitement and rewards more than ever before,” said Marty Goldman, senior vice president of global casino operations for Carnival Corporation.
Carnival Corporation reps said the Galaxy Operating System will be deployed across more than 50 cruise ships.
The Carnival Corporation was formed in 2015 when the China Investment Corporation, the sovereign wealth fund of the People’s Republic of China, lent money to its China State Shipbuilding Corporation to acquire the global cruise leader. Along with the aforementioned brands, the corporation owns and operates AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises, and Seabourn.
Carnival Corp. generated more than $12.1 billion in revenue last year.
Casino Games
Most Carnival-operated cruise ships offer casino gaming once the vessels set sail and venture into international waters. There are 27 Carnival-branded cruise ships that currently offer onboard casino gaming with slots, tables, and sports betting.
Carnival casinos offer slots from several leading gaming manufacturers, including IGT, Bally, and Aruze. Popular titles include Wheel of Fortune, 88 Fortunes, Sphinx 3D, Bags of Cash, and 999.9 Gold Wheel Legend.
Galaxy bringing its table games aboard will result in players also having access to games like the company’s trademarked “21+3” table. The blackjack progressive includes a three-card side bet.
Galaxy’s also offers progressive table games for poker, baccarat, craps, pai gow, and roulette.
Casinos Demanded
Casinos on cruise ships provide cruise lines with a major source of on-board revenue. The gaming spaces, which on Carnival Cruise ships offer anywhere from 100 to 500 slot machines and up to a dozen table games, generate added income for the cruises since gambling — of course — isn’t included in the all-inclusive packages.
Casino gaming aboard major cruise lines is regulated by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The industry trade association bases its gaming regulations on protocols established by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and other state gaming regulators in the US and UK.
CLIA members include the Carnival Corporation, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin.
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