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Onboard Gambling: Legal Boundaries and Risks at Sea

Those who have been on a cruise at least once will confirm that such an event is definitely worth repeating. It is not just a trip on water transport, it is an opportunity to visit different countries from the sea and try something new. Depending on the change in territorial waters, even CrownSlots Casino gambling can become legal for a while, providing an unforgettable experience that is not available on domestic shores. What games are available on such a trip, how they are regulated, and what risks the player takes — we will explore this on the page.

 


 

Physical casinos on board – everything players need to know

What could be better than a little excitement in the middle of the ocean? Most cruise ships offer this option among other services. Of course, pokies, like those at Crown Slots, are rarely offered on board, but table games such as blackjack, poker, roulette and baccarat are available to every guest on the voyage.

 

 

The issue of regulation

According to generally accepted laws and regulations, gambling on board a ship in international waters is governed by the laws of the ship's flag. This means that if a player is on a Malta-flagged liner, they are subject to Maltese law. Fortunately, most cruise companies initially register their boats under the flags of countries with minimal restrictions. This allows customers to play in nearly all types of gambling safely and without any consequences, regardless of their nationality, unlike the same game at CrownSlots Casino.

 

 

Possible risks

While a ship is in the territorial waters of a particular country, it must comply with local requirements. Therefore, the captain of the yacht may close the gambling section when entering the 12-mile zone off the coast of a country where gambling is prohibited. If this does not happen for any reason, players formally risk being fined by the local authorities, up to and including disembarkation and deportation. However, in practice, such measures are not applied; more often than not, it is the cruise company that is punished, not its customers.

 

 

CrownSlots Casino and other onboard online gambling

Venturing into the boundless ocean is undoubtedly an exciting adventure, and of course, an opportunity to step outside one's jurisdiction and gain access to all the possibilities of modern online gambling. In international waters, players can play all existing games with minimal restrictions, which is definitely appealing to true adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers.

 

 

The issue of regulation

To fully understand the regulations, we will examine this issue using the example of CrownSlots Casino review. Since the player is on board, in international waters, they are still subject to the jurisdiction of the flag on the ship. However, since the online casino is not physically located on the vessel, it operates under the laws of the country in which it is registered and licensed. And here's what that means:

  • Passengers on a ship flying the Panamanian flag must comply with Panamanian laws, as there is no ban on gambling in those laws. If it were an Australian ship, online slots would be prohibited, and only card games, roulette, and sports betting would be legal.

  • Crown Slots players must comply with the laws of Curacao. This is because the online casino itself is licensed by the GCB and is subject to the rules of that jurisdiction, which has minimal restrictions. If the licence had been issued by Poland, only sports betting and lotteries would be available to players.

When the ship enters territorial waters, players must also take local laws into account, so online gambling on board is not that simple.

 

 

Possible risks

When attempting to play at CrownSlots Casino or any other online casino on board a cruise ship, players may encounter the following risks:

  • registration may be blocked if the site does not accept players from certain locations;

  • payment issues may arise if the account has the ‘wrong’ IP address or the transaction is made from a restricted area;

  • blocked access to the site if the ship enters the territorial waters of a country with restrictions; regulatory issues — it is necessary to seek assistance from a foreign licensing authority;

  • problems with the legalisation of winnings — it will be necessary to declare them independently upon returning home.

However, in practice, such difficulties rarely arise if the player places bets at CrownSlots or another casino with international licences.

 

 

To play or not to play at Crown Slots – tips for betting at sea

So, if a person goes on a cruise, first of all, we recommend enjoying the voyage itself. Ocean waves, a light breeze, incredible landscapes — these are the things that deserve priority attention. However, if we are talking about a player who wants to add a touch of excitement to their holiday, we recommend listening to the following advice:

  • Play offline — the ship's administration knows exactly when it can be done without violating the laws of the countries through which the journey passes.

  • Play in international waters — this eliminates all risks associated with betting in different jurisdictions.

  • For online gaming, choose Crown Slots or other online casinos with a Curacao, MGA or other licence — these licences impose minimal requirements.

And, of course, we strongly recommend not forgetting the principles of responsible gaming, regardless of the betting format the player prefers.

The article contains information provided by a gambling expert Ivan Pervoy.