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A Sure Bet: Cruise Ship Casinos Pay Off with Jackpots, Friends and Making Guests Feel at Home

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When Texan Glenda Ostrokol gets on a ship she has a plan: Get to the casino as soon as it opens. She does not gamble on land. But in cruise ship casinos, she’s a big player, and receives all the perks that go along with that status.

“Carnival Cruise Line just makes it so much fun,” Ostrokol says. “I do love slot machines, and I play them all. And the casino team takes really good care of me.”

David Simpson of Leesburg, Fla., says arriving at a ship casino is akin to coming home. He and fellow Carnival Cruise Line players communicate through a dedicated Casino Fan Facebook page.

“We go in there and meet other friends we cruise with from all over the U.S.,” Simpson says. “There’s always somebody we know, people from TexasIdahoNorth Carolina. And there’s not a ship that we go on that we don’t know the casino team.”

Unlike with casinos on land, cruise guests are typically on board for a week or more, time for relationships to develop.

“We offer them a warm and friendly environment where they can interact with fellow cruisers,” says Marty Goldman, senior vice president of global casino operations for Carnival Corporation. “And we have an engaging casino team that takes the time to understand guest needs. We want to ensure that we are different from a typical casino in that way.”

Since joining Carnival Corporation from Caesars Entertainment in 2012, Goldman has overseen tremendous growth in the casino realm – as the world’s largest cruise company has expanded its gaming operations around the world.

Casino play is popular on all the cruise lines under the Carnival Corporation banner. In addition to Carnival Cruise Line, this includes Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Cunard, Seabourn, German line AIDA Cruises, Italian line Costa Cruises, British line P&O Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia.

Across the fleet, the most popular gaming option is slots, with Americans and Australians particularly big fans. With more than 100 casinos, Carnival Corporation sees a guest spinning the reels on a slot machine 112 times per second, making it by far the most popular form of gaming.

Tournament play is tremendously popular on ships in North America, and Carnival Corporation has plans to expand slot tournaments elsewhere around the world.

The company paid out more than $1 million in tournaments in the past year. This includes special branded events with tie-ins to Wheel of Fortune and Monopoly, the latter being for the biggest prize money the company ever paid. With guests flocking to these events, they will be expanded across the fleet, with a marquee Spin & Sail event on Carnival Cruise Line in 2019.

Though blackjack is preferred in the United States, the casinos cater to a wide array of tastes for games offering roulette, baccarat and a variety of poker games in different markets.

Goldman says the gaming crowd appreciates innovation, so his team is always on the lookout for what’s new and what people want to play on a regional basis.

Among options trending now are arcade-style games for adults and lottery-style scratch tickets.

“We are always looking at what else may be popular,” Goldman says. “We want to appeal to as broad an audience as possible.”

For frequent players, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Players Club is “unlike anything else anywhere on land or sea,” Goldman says. Players clubs are also available on Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and expanding to some of the corporation’s international brands.

Based on play, perks for players include everything from complimentary drinks to free cabins. Special events see top players invited to participate in unique and exciting experiences, which elevates the energy in the casino for all guests.

“People like engaging with other people who play,” says Goldman.

Behind the scenes, a new casino management system will allow more customized incentives for players.

“We will be able to offer an incentive based on what you are playing in real time,” Goldman says.

As it looks to expand its audience, Carnival Corporation has strategic partnerships with casinos on land, with qualified players offered a certificate for a free cruise. This enables the cruise company to draw new-to-cruise players to its casinos.

There are some differences in cruise ship play. With a more relaxed atmosphere, game table minimums are typically lower, for instance. While they vary by ship, itinerary and even time of day, it’s rare to find a minimum over $25.

In the friendly, guest-centric environment waging limits are adjusted based on a player’s personal preferences. “We have some very high limit players, not much different than you would see with land-based casinos,” Goldman says.

With nearly 60 cruises under her belt since 2002, Ostrokol has stories to tell – like the time earlier this year when she won $14,790 on a slot machine on the Carnival Vista, a ship with more than 250 machines.

“I thought I had won $1,400, and said, ‘Okay, I can play tomorrow.’ When I realized it was more, I screamed,” she says, laughing. She used her payout for a down payment on a wheelchair accessible van.

Simpson, a blackjack player who occasionally dabbles in slots, plays a few times a year in Las Vegas, but says ships are decidedly friendlier places. His biggest shipboard win was a $25,000 blackjack hand, “on the Lucky Ladies.” He also won a slot tournament on the Carnival Breeze.

“The best way to describe what time of day you can find me in the casino, is whenever it’s open,” Simpson says with a laugh. He’s been known to play well into the night and hit a ship’s 24-hour pizzeria to watch the sunrise.

Simpson says in addition to gaming, he enjoys Carnival Cruise Line’s specialty dining, such as La Cucina for Italian and Gigi’s for pan-Asian cuisine.

And then there are all the additional virtues of cruising. In traditional gaming resorts, you are in one place with one focus. On cruise ships, gaming comes with a wealth of other fun entertainment and activities – including visiting several exciting destinations during your vacation.

Carnival Corporation offers a variety of casino experiences, whether guests want to dress up like James Bond or go completely casual. There are classic casinos on Holland America Line and P&O Cruises in the United Kingdom, and smaller, more intimate experiences on ultra-luxury line Seabourn. You can even play while crossing the Atlantic on a luxurious Cunard ocean liner.

“From a casino perspective, we can offer something for everybody, every day, all across the globe, which no one else can do,” Goldman says.

Fun facts from Carnival Corporate Global Casino Operations:

Slot machines on Carnival Corporation ships produce more than 3.5 billion hand pulls per year.

More than 56,000 slots jackpots are paid out each year, an average of more than 155 per day.

On Carnival Corporation ships, blackjack players older than 60 are twice as skillful as players younger than 30.

In the largest annual tournaments, on Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises, players vie for a share of a $200,000 pot.

The 2,600-strong Carnival Corporation shipboard casino team represents 79 nationalities.

SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc


Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Stretch Network Unveils MEGA FREEBUY Tournaments in World Poker League Season 3

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Stretch Network announces the continuation of the MEGA FREEBUY tournaments in the third season of the World Poker League. Designed to captivate players and showcase the power of our online poker platform, these events deliver high stakes, excitement, and player engagement.

The MEGA FREEBUY tournaments feature a €5,000 prize pool guarantee, with a €0 buy-in and rebuys available for just €1. Taking place on 30 November, 7, 14, and 21 December at 16:00 (UTC+0), each tournament accommodates up to 4,000 players.

For media partners, these tournaments highlight the capabilities of Stretch Network’s industry-leading online poker software and its ability to drive player retention and acquisition. By offering such tournaments, poker platforms powered by Stretch Network can set themselves apart in the competitive online gaming market.

Our solutions are designed for B2B poker providers seeking innovative tools to deliver exceptional gaming experiences. The World Poker League and the MEGA FREEBUY tournaments serve as a testament to the scalability, reliability, and engagement opportunities our platform provides.

We welcome our media partners to collaborate with us in promoting this exciting series, further establishing Stretch Network as a trusted name in online poker solutions.

The post Stretch Network Unveils MEGA FREEBUY Tournaments in World Poker League Season 3 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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SuperGaming’s Indus Battle Royale surpasses 5 million downloads; concludes first international playtest in Manila

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SuperGaming’s highly anticipated Indo-futuristic Battle Royale game, Indus, has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 5 million downloads on the Google Play Store and over 100,000 installs on the iOS App Store. This remarkable feat solidifies its position as one of India’s fastest-growing games. The title has also been recognized as the Best Made in India Game by Google Play in their prestigious Best of 2024 awards.

Indus has captivated players with its distinctive Indo-futuristic world setting that seamlessly blends Indian culture with futuristic aesthetics, immersive gameplay, and community-driven innovation. Key gameplay features like the Cosmium Clutch, Grudge Mechanic, and culturally inspired avatars and weapons have particularly resonated with players, offering strategic depth and adrenaline-filled matches.

Building upon this momentum, SuperGaming recently hosted its first international community playtest at the YGG Play Summit in Manila, Philippines. The event featured some of the region’s top esports talent, with Kadiliman Esports emerging victorious. This successful international debut aligns with SuperGaming’s vision to expand its player base while maintaining a deep-rooted connection to its community.

“Surpassing 5 million downloads is more than a milestone—it’s a reflection of the enthusiasm our players have for Indus,” said Roby John, Co-Founder and CEO of SuperGaming. “Hosting our first international playtest at the YGG Play Summit was another defining moment for us, and a reminder of what gaming can achieve—bridging cultures and bringing people together. We’re driven to keep breaking new ground and taking Indus to even greater heights, reaching newer players across the world,” he adds.

Furthermore, in a move to strengthen India’s esports ecosystem, SuperGaming has also announced its year-long Clutch India Movement. The initiative kicks off with the Indus International Tournament, running from October 2024 to February 2025, featuring a massive prize pool of INR 2.5 crores. The tournament will bring together top Indian and international teams across four competitive phases.

SuperGaming remains committed to keeping Indus fresh with regular updates based on player feedback, ensuring the game continually improves. These efforts demonstrate the studio’s commitment to creating a gaming experience that reflects its players’ needs and aspirations while redefining the global perception of Indian gaming.

The post SuperGaming’s Indus Battle Royale surpasses 5 million downloads; concludes first international playtest in Manila appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Slotegrator unveils the first part of the iGaming trends 2025 report

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Leading B2B iGaming solutions provider Slotegrator has released part 1 of the iGaming trends 2025 report, offering a comprehensive look at the trends set to define the industry in the coming year. The report highlights innovative strategies and technologies that operators and providers can leverage to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving iGaming landscape.

The report highlights transformative shifts in the iGaming landscape that are reshaping the way operators and providers approach their businesses.

The report contains information about AI and how it is set to revolutionize the iGaming industry by becoming a game-changing tool for operators. Its advances are enabling unprecedented levels of personalization, fraud detection, and player engagement, setting a new standard for the industry. Faruk Aydin, Chief Revenue Officer at Revpanda Group, expressed his opinion on the AI trend: “As we navigate the AI era, I believe it’s more important than ever for iGaming brands to ensure their content is local, relevant, and human-wr0itten to truly connect with players and build trust”.

William Sarto, PR & Marketing Specialist at CasinoRIX, believes that in 2025, iGaming trends will reflect global shifts and technological advancements. According to Sarto, “AI continues to transform the iGaming industry. In 2025, its application will expand in areas such as data analysis and processing to enhance the gaming experience, content creation and process automation, and tools for personalization and creating added value for players.’’

According to Slotegrator, payment technologies are also evolving rapidly. With the integration of cryptocurrencies, biometric authentication, and instant cross-border transactions, in 2025 it will become key to meeting player demands for speed, security, and convenience.

In addition, the growing importance of social gaming and community building is redefining player expectations. No longer just about entertainment, iGaming platforms are increasingly becoming spaces for connection, where features like live dealer games, player chats, and tournaments foster a sense of belonging and enhance retention.

William Sarto highlights that “responsible gambling, social and charitable initiatives, and addressing ecological concerns are becoming integral. These factors influence not only the external perception of companies but also their internal corporate culture.’’

Sarto also puts a focus on brand and values: “Building a strong brand is becoming a core development vector. Establishing values, communicating them to both B2B and B2C audiences, and creating added value for “consumers” are critical. Players will choose companies offering not just quality products but also emotional connection.’’

Slotegrator also delves into the emergence of innovative game formats, such as crash games, skill-based gaming, and immersive VR and AR experiences, which are attracting a broader and more diverse audience.

Meanwhile, the evolution of affiliate marketing strategies emphasizes authenticity, transparency, and localization, allowing operators to connect more deeply with their target demographics.

The report emphasizes the importance of forward planning, urging operators to adapt to shifting player preferences and adopt the latest technologies to maintain competitiveness in the dynamic iGaming market.

Faruk Aydin has added his predictions about iGaming trends for 2025: “I think 2025 will be another year where we’ll see new trends emerge, while still needing to stick to the fundamentals. If iGaming brands want to stay ahead in the marketing game, they’ll need to focus on a smarter, more strategic approach.

Multi-channel marketing will take center stage, enabling brands to engage players through a mix of social media, email, influencers, and more—creating seamless, personalized experiences. At the same time, SEO will remain a cornerstone of success—optimizing for search intent will help brands stay visible and competitive.

Finally, exploring new and emerging markets, especially in regions with growing online gaming adoption, presents a huge opportunity for brands that localize their approach and adapt to regional preferences. Overall, adopting a marketing strategy that balances technology with a human touch will be the key to success for iGaming brands in 2025”.

The iGaming Trends 2025, Part 1 is now available for download on the Slotegrator website. For additional information or inquiries, please contact the Slotegrator team.

 

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Since 2012, Slotegrator has been one of the iGaming industry’s leading software and business solution providers for online casino and sportsbook operators.

The company’s main focus is software development and support for online casino platforms, as well as the integration of game content and payment systems.

The company works with licensed game developers and offers a vast portfolio of casino content: slots, live casino games, poker, virtual sports, table games, lotteries, casual games, and data feeds for betting.

Slotegrator also provides consulting services in gambling license acquisition and business incorporation.

The post Slotegrator unveils the first part of the iGaming trends 2025 report appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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