- Playtech entered into a partnership with MSC Cruises to bring its retail sports betting offerings aboard cruise ships.
- An initial trial period will include sports betting services on eight ships.
- If the trial is successful, sports betting services will be offered across all 24 ships.
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Playtech announced a partnership with MSC Cruises to roll out retail sports betting on eight of MSC’s cruise ships for a trial this year.
The world’s third-largest cruise line offers an expansive platform to pursue sports betting and mobile gambling. Sports betting is just the next venture for Playtech. The gambling powerhouse is a vertically integrated provider, making the online gambling platform unique in its software services and promotional offerings.
Four months after the initial launch, Playtech’s announcement with MSC Cruises states that retail sports betting is now available on seven ships: MSC Grandiosa, Seascape, Seashore, World America, World Europa, Meraviglia, and Virtuosa.
Guests are now able to place self-service wagers at terminals and mobile tills on board. Traditionally, most cruise ships offer casino games on board, like Poker, Roulette, Blackjack, and more.
Princess Cruises by Carnival was the first cruise line to introduce onboard legal sports betting in 2021.
Carnival expanded its sportsbook with BetMGM in 2022, launching iGaming apps and kiosks across more than 50 Carnival ships.
MSC’s retail sports betting partnership with Playtech allows the company to compete with other cruises with sports betting in the industry, including Carnival/BETMGM ocean sportsbook service.
This move may push other cruise lines to follow suit in upgrading their sports betting offerings, potentially signaling the implementation of new services in the future.
