Casino Curious

Does any know or is it a well kept secret what the payout percentage is for the NCL casinos? In Vegas there are so many different places they have to have fairly high payouts just to be competitive, but on a ship you're more of a captive audience. I'm not a big gambler but if payout ratio is real low I won't even bother.

I can't comment on slots because I do not play them...however, I do play Blackjack and 3-card poker. On my last 3 cruises with NCL, I won a good amount at the tables. Hit 2 $5k payouts, on 2 separate ships, and several lower hands... and did not get a 1099 on either ship, so I was quite pleased with the casino.

I do organize the slot pull for our Meet & Greet when we cruise and so far, we haven't lost any money. Either won a little or broke even.

My advice, just start slow and see how the slots are paying. You won't win anything if you don't play - of course you won't lose any either.

People like to complain without proof that the slots at sea are tighter than slots on land. Well, that depends on which land based state/casino you are using for comparison ... the same could be said among land based casinos.

I doubt the house has tweaked the chips below 90% payout. They are not in the business of burning players - there is value in being competitive with land based casinos to draw those players. You want the player at the machine for long periods of time to reach the payout percentage ... remember, these are multi-day cruises.

I suspect the complaint about perceived low payouts is because players are hitting the casino every day and, therefore, creating more opportunities to contribute to the 10% take rather than the 90% payout.

The casino wants to bleed, not burn, players.

Is it true that you stand to win more on the first couple of days because they want to lure people in or is that a myth?

Is it true that you stand to win more on the first couple of days because they want to lure people in or is that a myth?

No, the machines don’t know the difference between day 7 of one cruise and day 1 of the next cruise. That would require all the chips in the machines to be “reprogrammed” during turnover and again during the cruise.

No, the machines don’t know the difference between day 7 of one cruise and day 1 of the next cruise. That would require all the chips in the machines to be “reprogrammed” during turnover and again during the cruise.

Thanks!

What about the table games? Any differences in minimums or payouts in the beginning vs end?

Thanks!

 

What about the table games? Any differences in minimums or payouts in the beginning vs end?

That’s beyond my knowledge ... I play slots.

Thanks!

 

What about the table games? Any differences in minimums or payouts in the beginning vs end?

Minimums are probably set according to the number of guests willing to play. More people = higher minimums. The payouts are always the same.

I can't comment on slots because I do not play them...however, I do play Blackjack and 3-card poker. On my last 3 cruises with NCL, I won a good amount at the tables. Hit 2 $5k payouts, on 2 separate ships, and several lower hands... and did not get a 1099 on either ship, so I was quite pleased with the casino.

 

 

I do organize the slot pull for our Meet & Greet when we cruise and so far, we haven't lost any money. Either won a little or broke even.

 

 

My advice, just start slow and see how the slots are paying. You won't win anything if you don't play - of course you won't lose any either.

Getting a 1099 or not is of no consequence what-so-ever. You are still required to report those winnings as as earned income. The casinos requirement to issue a 1099 is or no concern to your legal requirement to report the win on your taxes.

People like to complain without proof that the slots at sea are tighter than slots on land. Well, that depends on which land based state/casino you are using for comparison ... the same could be said among land based casinos.

 

I doubt the house has tweaked the chips below 90% payout. They are not in the business of burning players - there is value in being competitive with land based casinos to draw those players. You want the player at the machine for long periods of time to reach the payout percentage ... remember, these are multi-day cruises.

 

I suspect the complaint about perceived low payouts is because players are hitting the casino every day and, therefore, creating more opportunities to contribute to the 10% take rather than the 90% payout.

 

The casino wants to bleed, not burn, players.

I only play slots and have only lost 3 times on more than 20 cruises.

NCL dedicates a lot of space on their ships to the casino. You better KNOW they make a huge profit on the people dumb enough to think they will win big. They won't, NCL will. If you are just playing for fun, it's just entertainment. The big gamblers are just foolish. Don't let my words dissuade you. I enjoy a better cruise due to your continued donations.

I only play slots and have only lost 3 times on more than 20 cruises.

Me too...……...