BetMGM and Carnival Corporation announced a new deal on Friday, June 17, to put sports books on 50+ U.S.-based cruise ships.
The arrangement allows betting while the cruise ships are at sea/while docked at a port in a state allowing sports betting. Passengers can bet via a mobile app/at physical kiosks onboard the ship.
It encompasses CCL-Carnival Cruise Line, HAL-Holland America, and Princess Cruises.
Princess started offering sports betting in October 2021.
According to BetMGM (part of MGM Resorts International), the sports betting operations would be phased in over the next few months.
In a statement, BetMGM's CEO Adam Greenblatt said they had found an ideal partner in Carnival Corporation and looked forward to providing their sports betting and iGaming products to millions of passengers.
"This is another great opportunity for us to further expand BetMGM's footprint."
The cruise liners already offer casino gambling with slots, poker, and table games. The Carnival-BetMGM deal added sports betting and online casino gambling to the mix in order to complement the shipboard casino lounges.
Both companies will collaborate on promotions and marketing.
Sports betting is growing in the United States. In the 4 years since the US Supreme Court decision clearing the way for any state to provide legal sports betting, Americans had wagered $125+ billion as of mid-May.