Casino hours in port

[kosmo]

I know there are laws regarding when the casino can be open but wanted to check. Is the law simply that it cannot be open when at port or when the ship is within a certain distance of land? Is this the case at any port or just certain ones? We are traveling on the Star in January and hubby is just curious so told him I would check with the experts! :) TIA!

[bluefintuna]

Expert says casinos are never open when in port, otherwise some of us would end up very poor.

[Seal]

Normally the casino is open after you're at sea about an hour

 

Although, when we were docked at Pappette and maybe Bora, Bora--the casino was open--in Papette both the disembarking passengers and the embarking passengers are aboard until about 8 pm the day we trade places

 

I, also believe when traveling among the Hawaiian Islands there is no gambling

 

Nancy:D

[mii]

Bluefin is correct. The casino is closed while in port. They usually open up around 1 hr after sailing.

 

Marilyn

[Psee]

Ship Casinos are governed by their ports of call. Most countries have laws that prevent casinos from being open while at port and within a few miles of the port.

 

On a brighter note, most of the ports that allow casinos have much better odds than the ship. :)

[Pam in CA]

Neither casinos or the ship shops are open while the ship is in port and don't open until the ship has cleared the port area and is on it's way. This is due to local laws.

[Capt_BJ]

As stated the casino and shops will not be opened in port. More correctly they will not be opened while in the country's territorial waters.

 

The US claims a territorial limit of 12 miles as does most of the world (but not all, some more, a few less)

 

Once the ship is outside 12 miles, things can open. For the average cruise ship - less than 1 hour to be 12 miles out, so scheduling for 1 hour after departure is safe.

 

Some countries say not in port, but in the waters is OK. There are exceptions and special cases to every generalization...but this is the basic 'rule'.

[bubbadog]

for some reason i thought the ship had to be 7 miles out to sea before the casino could open,but maybe its now 12 miles,usually its about a half hour after sailing when the casino opens,enjoy your cruise:))):p

[CruisinChris]

Anyone planning an Australia New Zealand cruise should be aware that the casinos are RARELY open as the ship sails very close to land while she can to avoid heavier seas.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

if your ship is doing an overnight in Nassau the casino opens about 7pm.

 

Bill

[LFM]

From my experience with Princess, RCCL,NCL and HAL, I may as well pitch my $$$ overboard as give them to the casino. With no gaming regulations on cruise ships, I have never seen anyone leave a winner. It's certainly not like Vegas or Atlantic City where there are lots of casinos trying to get your money and the odds are much greater.

[Toto2Kansas]

From my experience with Princess, RCCL,NCL and HAL, I may as well pitch my $$$ overboard as give them to the casino. With no gaming regulations on cruise ships, I have never seen anyone leave a winner. It's certainly not like Vegas or Atlantic City where there are lots of casinos trying to get your money and the odds are much greater.

 

The odds on cruise ships might not be that great, but I have to admit, on Princess ships I usually come home a winner. So, this statement about pitching your money overboard might be true for you, but not everybody. ;)

[spider3455]

Play Blackjack or Craps. Its hard to change the odds on these games.

[jak378]

This may be a really dumb question, but does anyone know if cruise lines report gambling winnings to the IRS? I have never won enough to find out.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

yes they sure do. You'll get a form on board if you win a lot of money. Don't know what the form number is since I have never won much. Of course I don't gamble much either.

 

Bill

[Toto2Kansas]

This may be a really dumb question, but does anyone know if cruise lines report gambling winnings to the IRS? I have never won enough to find out.

 

They didn't up until about 18 months ago. Now if you win over the amount, which I think is $1200 or more, you bet ya they fill out a 1099 and present it to you. I liked the old way better where they didn't report it and you didn't have to claim it.

[bluefintuna]

I'd like the chance to fill out one of those forms, please.

[Psee]

Wow, this is really weird to me. The US doesn't allow the ship to open the casino in US waters or US ports but wants you pay taxes on your winnings on a ship not registered to the US that is operating a casino out it's jurisdiction? :eek: I'm totally confused now...

[Toto2Kansas]

Wow, this is really weird to me. The US doesn't allow the ship to open the casino in US waters or US ports but wants you pay taxes on your winnings on a ship not registered to the US that is operating a casino out it's jurisdiction? :eek: I'm totally confused now...

 

I know where you are coming from, doesn't make a lot of sense does it? But it is true.

[Twelvevman]

They didn't up until about 18 months ago. Now if you win over the amount, which I think is $1200 or more, you bet ya they fill out a 1099 and present it to you. I liked the old way better where they didn't report it and you didn't have to claim it.

 

That amount is only for slots. If you play the tables, you will not get a form unless you cash in more than $10,000 worth of chips on the same day.

[Giorgi-one]

From my experience with Princess, RCCL,NCL and HAL, I may as well pitch my $$$ overboard as give them to the casino. With no gaming regulations on cruise ships, I have never seen anyone leave a winner. It's certainly not like Vegas or Atlantic City where there are lots of casinos trying to get your money and the odds are much greater.

 

I assume that you are referring to slots. The odds on table games are about the same. I realize that number of decks affect blackjack.

[AlaskaGolden]

Back to the original question... How can the casinos be open on an Alaska Inside Passage Cruise when the ship is not 7 or 12 miles from land?