High Seas, High Stakes

For the past week, I journeyed aboard a popular cruise line, exploring the vibrant destinations of Aruba, Cura?ao, and Turks and Caicos. While onboard, I found myself compelled to shed light on a somewhat unexpected issue—the presence of financial predators even in the serene environment of a cruise ship.

A striking revelation unfolded during my voyage—the cruise's casino, typically a hub of entertainment, holds a particularly predatory nature. The initial two days at sea, as we sail towards our next destination, are marked by activities revolving around the casino. What surprised me was the strategic placement of the casino as a central point on the ship, making it unavoidable for those navigating the vessel. Even the route to my nightly dining room guided me through the casino's enticing atmosphere.

Gateway Foundation's insights (2023) underscore the intentional design of cruise casinos, with their overwhelming lights and sounds acting as psychological triggers. The absence of natural light and direct pathways through the casino intensify the allure, creating an environment conducive to prolonged gambling.

Cruising has long been my preferred mode of travel due to its meticulous planning aspects, allowing me to prepare every detail, from accommodation to island excursions, without incurring debt. However, the necessity of linking a credit card to the cruise account poses a financial risk, especially for those susceptible to the casino's allure. Gateway Foundation (2023) emphasizes that using a room key tied to one's account fosters an illusion of reduced financial stakes, making it easier for individuals to lose track of their spending.

Delving undercover into the experience, I explored the deceptive nature of penny slots. Despite their seemingly minimal bet of $0.01, the fine print revealed a minimum bet of $0.88 per attempt, demonstrating how quickly expenses could accumulate, particularly when using the room key for transactions.

The age-old adage, "the house always wins," holds true in the realm of cruise ship casinos. Carter's (2014) estimation that 62 to 80 percent of a casino's total gambling revenue comes from slot machines echoes this sentiment. The digitized machines, coded to limit wins, ensure a perpetual advantage for the casino. While my personal encounter resulted in a swift loss, it's alarming to note that problem gamblers contribute significantly to slot revenue, comprising up to 60% (Carter, 2014).

Observing the demographics of casino-goers, it became evident that gambling now disproportionately impacts low-income workers, retirees, minorities, and the disabled, as highlighted by the University at Buffalo Research Institute on Addiction. My own observations echoed this, with a notable presence of older individuals, particularly women, and men of color, including those relying on mobility assistance.

My cruise experience illuminated the pervasive influence of casino businesses even in a setting dedicated to relaxation. The deliberate design elements and targeting of vulnerable demographics underscore the need for heightened awareness regarding the potential financial pitfalls associated with onboard gambling.

SOURCES:

Foundation, Gateway. “Casino Psychology 101: What Makes Casinos Addictive.” Gateway Foundation, 10 Jan. 2022, www.gatewayfoundation.org/addiction-blog/casino-psychology/#3. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Carter, Joe. “Issue Analysis: Casinos and Predatory Gambling.” ERLC, 20 Mar. 2014, erlc.com/resource-library/articles/issue-analysis-casinos-and-predatory-gambling/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.