Do You Win More in Vegas or at Sea? The Truth About Cruise Ship Casinos
If you’ve ever wondered whether you win more in a Vegas casino or on a cruise ship, you’re not alone, and that’s exactly what we set out to unscientifically test in our latest vlog. We played the same slot machine and gambled $100 at 10 spins each ($10 per spin). We did this to see if we would win more on Land, in Las Vegas, or on Cruise Ships. We did this across 2 cruise lines and 2 Las Vegas casinos. Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, Carnival Cruise Line Vista, Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas, and Bellagio Las Vegas. Focusing on the two big players in both land and sea-based gaming.
🎥 In our latest vlog, we put this theory to the test: Do you really win more in Vegas, or does luck favor the high seas?
Watch now and see how it all plays out — unscientific, but definitely entertaining.
Las Vegas Casino versus Cruise Ship Casinos - Which One Pays More!
But before diving into the results, here’s what actually makes gambling on land and at sea so different:
🎰 Payout Percentages (RTP)
Land-based casinos, especially in destinations like Las Vegas or Atlantic City, are regulated by strict gaming commissions. That means their slot machines often return around 92–97% of the money to players.
Cruise ship casinos? They sail under international waters and operate under flag-state regulations, meaning less oversight and typically lower Return to Player (RTP) percentages, often in the 85–90% range.
🌊 Regulation and Transparency
Land casinos must publicly report payback data. Cruise lines don’t. You’ll rarely find posted payout reports on a ship, and the odds are entirely at the operator’s discretion once they’re beyond territorial waters.
🏆 Player Perks
Casinos on land offer established loyalty programs (like MGM Rewards or Caesars Rewards). At sea, some lines, like Royal Caribbean, have begun tier matching to MGM Resorts or others, which can make your play go further if you’re loyal to both. Now earning valuable player points can be a great way to earn comps, but each player program earns points at different rates, and redemption is just as dynamic and variable. It's sometimes hard to tell if you are actually getting anything of value with these “comps.”
💸 The Experience
On land, gaming is the main attraction. At sea, it’s just one part of the vacation experience, so the atmosphere is more relaxed, but the house edge may be steeper. What has your experience been on land or sea? Check out our vlog and leave us a comment on what you’ve experienced.