Bringing a whole new meaning to the term “offshore sportsbook,” passengers on more than 50 cruise ships ported in the U.S. will soon be able to wager on sports from international waters through a partnership announced Friday between Carnival Corp. and BetMGM.
According to a press release, Carnival will soon offer BetMGM-branded digital and cash-based sports betting aboard Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises ships in international waters.
“We’ve found an ideal partner in Carnival Corporation and look forward to providing our sports betting and iGaming products to its millions of passengers,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt. “This is another great opportunity for us to further expand BetMGM’s footprint.”
When asked what this will mean for a ship that’s docked in a coastal state that does not yet offer legal sports betting — such as Florida — a BetMGM spokesperson told Sports Handle, “The sports betting offerings will be available once the ship is out at sea, and deactivated when at port in a U.S. state without legalized sports betting.”
Separately, Princess Cruises launched its own on-board sportsbook last year. Under terms of the new partnership, however, BetMGM’s floating sportsbooks — which “will roll out in phases over the coming months” — will replace Ocean Sportsbook on Princess Cruises.
“We’re very proud to be able to deliver the excitement and engagement of sports betting and iGaming to our guests through our partnership with BetMGM,” added Marty Goldman, senior vice president of casino operations for Carnival Corp. “Our two leading global hospitality organizations will provide a wide array of immersive digital content as a complement to our exceptional shipboard casinos.”
