Sea Pass Card in Slots for Rewards

[isujim]

I meant to mention that 3 weeks ago on the Jewel you were able to insert your seapass card directly into the slots and earn points for rewards you could cash in before the end of the cruise. You had to cash in your points by 10pm the last night of the cruise. How much you played and the type of machine you played (nickel, quarter, dollar slots) determines your points and the reward you qualify for at the end of the cruise.

 

I don't remember this being mentioned, so if it has I'm sorry.........but this was a new twist to us and thought I would pass it along if anyone is interested.

[Buccaneergirl]

Thanks for the info! I will make sure and put my seapass card in the slots on my Radiance cruise next month!:D

[OGCFreddie]

FYI, you might want to be aware that this also provides a paper trail to let Uncle Sam know exactly what your winnings might have been.;)

[isujim]

FYI, you might want to be aware that this also provides a paper trail to let Uncle Sam know exactly what your winnings might have been.;)

 

Don't worry..........there were no winnings:D So I hope it leaves a trail of my losses as well.......LOL

 

By the way........don't forget to get your seapass card out of the machine after you are done...........don't go off and leave it......

 

I also don't know if this has been implemented fleet wide.......but it was on the Jewel.

[roadnut]

FYI, you might want to be aware that this also provides a paper trail to let Uncle Sam know exactly what your winnings might have been.;)

 

Are you sure? Do gambling winnings have to be documented when you're in International waters? Would this apply to all countries? (US, Canada, UK, etc)

[negc]

Don't worry..........there were no winnings:D So I hope it leaves a trail of my losses as well.......LOL

 

By the way........don't forget to get your seapass card out of the machine after you are done...........don't go off and leave it......

 

I also don't know if this has been implemented fleet wide.......but it was on the Jewel.

I know that both the Jewel and the Freedom have both introduced this new system which is similar to what occurs in the casinos in CT. I wouldn't worry about the "paper trail", as my losses frequently outweigh my winnings. :rolleyes: I also have never seen anyone asked to fill out an IRS form if their winnings exceeded a certain amount, but have had to do so in land-based casinos. The system on RCI ships awards points based on the amount of time you spend playing the slots and how much you put in. I don't know that it actually records the amount of any payouts. Freedom also paid out in vouchers instead of cash, but you could redeem the vouchers in a machine without having to go back to the cashier and you don't have to lug those heavy buckets of coins around when you cash out.:)

[Nitra]

I actually won like 5k on slots on a ship one time, and I asked them, as they were paying me, if I had to report the winnings. They told me that unless they were 10k or over, they were not obligated to report them. They told me it was solely my responsibility to report the winnings.

 

I have even won about 4k in land based casinos on slots and it was never reported either. I always use the rewards cards in the land based ones too.

[TonyFred]

I enjoyed this feature on the Jewel last year, but it was not available on the Navigator this year. I was able to select a couple of gifts at the end of the cruise on the Jewel from the points acquired. Not much, but the thought was nice.

And one thing to remember...it is very easy to leave your seapass card in the machine, especially after a bit of alcohol consumption. If you plan to do it, consider attaching the card to a lanyard and attach the other end to you.

[schack2]

Does anyone know if this is available on the Mariner of the Seas?

 

When we were on Carnival we Joined the Ocean Players' Club and got cash back on our next cruise. Since Holland America didn't use the system we were still able to get the cash with the letter we received from Ocean Players' Club since they are part of the Carnival family.

[Nothin' But Sun]

I know that both the Jewel and the . Freedom also paid out in vouchers instead of cash, but you could redeem the vouchers in a machine without having to go back to the cashier and you don't have to lug those heavy buckets of coins around when you cash out.:)

 

 

OK so you mean to tell me all the U.S. quarters (I'm Canadian) I have been saving for the last year :eek: has been a waste of time:o

[mediator]

Don't worry about the IRS. You put your seapass in and it calculates points. On the last day, you go by the cashier and their is a list of what your points earned. My mom earned a t-shirt (she's a big gambler)! I earned a free drink. :p This was on the Mariner. Oh, don't forget to pull your card out when you leave. I had to go back for mine. Not used to putting one in on a ship, so I didn't have that necklace thing for card.

[beachbuddy]

Does anyone know if this is available on the Mariner of the Seas?

 

When we were on Carnival we Joined the Ocean Players' Club and got cash back on our next cruise. Since Holland America didn't use the system we were still able to get the cash with the letter we received from Ocean Players' Club since they are part of the Carnival family.

 

I'm pretty sure it was in December, but I didn't do it.

 

Beachbuddy

[Aprille]

While I like the idea of a rewards program I don't like having to use the SeaPass card for it. It's one thing to leave a casino rewards card in a slot slot machine in Las Vegas. It's quite another to leave your SeaPass card behind! :eek:

I have even won about 4k in land based casinos on slots and it was never reported either.

$4K in a single jackpot? I thought if the jackpot was $1,200 or more the casino was required to make you fill out a form and report it to the IRS.

[Nitra]

$4K in a single jackpot? I thought if the jackpot was $1,200 or more the casino was required to make you fill out a form and report it to the IRS.

 

Nope never had to, they told me it was 10k and over. I asked to be sure I would not get in trouble. Now this has been a few years ago, so things might have changed since then. Usually I just hit it for about 1000 at a time when I win bigger amounts, and a few hundred otherwise.

[Aprille]

Nope never had to, they told me it was 10k and over.

Where was this? Louisiana? Las Vegas? I have a friend who gambles in Louisiana pretty regularly and she has had to report single jackpots of $1,200 or more on several occasions (because the casino made her fill out the paperwork before paying off). If you've never won more than $1,000 at a time then it wouldn't apply. It's not the cumulative amount the casinos are required to report. It's the single jackpot amount.

 

That's my understanding anyway. I have no personal experience with jackpots that large. :p

[beachbuddy]

Where was this? Louisiana? Las Vegas? I have a friend who gambles in Louisiana pretty regularly and she has had to report single jackpots of $1,200 or more on several occasions (because the casino made her fill out the paperwork before paying off). If you've never won more than $1,000 at a time then it wouldn't apply. It's not the cumulative amount the casinos are required to report. It's the single jackpot amount.

 

That's my understanding anyway. I have no personal experience with jackpots that large. :p

 

I have no experience with jackpots that large either, although I have hit a few over the $1,200 in my lifetime (definitely not recently...LOL) and I definitly had to fill out paperwork and report it on my tax returns.

 

Here in New Jersey, it's always been anything over $1,200. I didn't realize it was different in other states.......I mean Federal Taxes are Federal Taxes!

 

I don't know what happens if you hit a jackpot while on a cruise.......we usually just make donations.........LOL

 

Beachbuddy

[Capt. Johnny]

The notification and/or form that must be filled out if the winnings are over 10K may not have anything to do with the gambling, but everything to do with federal reporting guidelines anytime you enter or leave the U.S. with greater than 10 thousand dollars.

Does anyone remember the pitiful life sentence convict "Scott Peterson" when he tried to cross the border into Mexico with over $10,000 on him. It is a federal law that is not that well known but strictly enforced. It is intended to catch the drug dealers mules (people) trying to take large amounts of cash back and forth.

 

That would be my take on the reason for the form as the ship is in international waters and not a U.S. Flag ship so no reporting has to be done for any tax purposes to the IRS.;)

[negc]

The only really big jackpot I have ever hit was for $2500 at Mohegan Sun in CT. and I definitely had to fill out the paperwork for the IRS before the casino would make the payout. I think that the others are correct about the $10,000 figure relating to the threshhold figure which requires you to report how much money you are bringing into the US, and doesn't relate to whether the source of funds is gambling winnings or something else. That question is one of those that is included in the Customs form you need to submit when you re-enter the US.:)

[Nitra]

Where was this? Louisiana? Las Vegas? I have a friend who gambles in Louisiana pretty regularly and she has had to report single jackpots of $1,200 or more on several occasions (because the casino made her fill out the paperwork before paying off). If you've never won more than $1,000 at a time then it wouldn't apply. It's not the cumulative amount the casinos are required to report. It's the single jackpot amount.

 

That's my understanding anyway. I have no personal experience with jackpots that large. :p

 

Indian casinos and even in Louisana, my hubby has hit the roulette table for 3k and more in one hit and never had to fill out paperwork. Like I said it was a few years ago so maybe things have changed.

 

In Florida I hit a slot for 3600 dollars in one spin, dropped 10 dollars in 1 dollar slots, they paid out, took my photo for the wall of winners. They asked for my DL to prove I was eligible to win, but I asked if they needed my SS number to report it and they said no. Maybe they are not doing it right or something but again this was about 5 yrs ago or so. I used the money to pay for my hotel and spending for the week, came home and paid off some bills. (I travel cheap.. LOL)

 

Recently I have not done so well. Only been to Vegas once, last year, for an award thing I won, played a little but only hit for small amounts, 100 at a time. No big deal there.

 

Have not been to Lousiana in several years cause Harrahs Lake Charles is gone now and that was where I had the best luck on slots.

 

Last year on Rhapsody hit for 250 on quarter slot, not bad, paid for my tips and bar tab for the week.

 

Voyager I hit for 400 on Wheel of Fortune dollar slot. Another free tab for the week!

 

I never really play to win, I play for the fun of playing.

[Nitra]

I guess I have gotten lucky so far and not had to do paperwork. I thought it was weird but then thought it was for larger amounts so didnt really give it a lot of thought.

 

Guess it is a good thing I dont go to the casinos on land anymore huh?

 

Anyway who knows why they didnt do it. I know on ships it is different because they are in international waters.

 

Is it different for tables? I wouldnt think so right?

 

You would not think it mattered what state right? Like I said I guess I got lucky cause I did wonder why they did not have me do paperwork.

[Aprille]

Nitra - that's very interesting. I think you just got lucky (in more ways than one ;)) because I've been Googling and see reference to the $1,200 filing requirement dating back to at least 1998. And, as beachbuddy states, it is a federal requirement so it doesn't matter what state or if it is an Indian casino.

[Nitra]

LOL anyway I did report it. I just happen to be one of those people that worry about audits or something! Anyway my losses and wins were usually equal :D but I did report the winnings...

[Aprille]

Oh, heck - I don't care if you reported it. :p ;) I was just pretty sure the casinos didn't give you a choice if the jackpot was $1,200 or more.

 

Okay, sorry, we (I) seem to have highjacked this thread. :o

 

Now back to discussion of the RCCL slots rewards program...

 

I have a feeling this will be like that "free" Bingo shirt I got a couple of cruises ago. :p

[Barbiegator]

I used my card on Mariner for a week. Got a tshirt for all my slot play. I decided it wasn't worth the hassle of keeping up with card.

[Nitra]

Oh, heck - I don't care if you reported it. :p ;) I was just pretty sure the casinos didn't give you a choice if the jackpot was $1,200 or more.

 

Okay, sorry, we (I) seem to have highjacked this thread. :o

 

Now back to discussion of the RCCL slots rewards program...

 

I have a feeling this will be like that "free" Bingo shirt I got a couple of cruises ago. :p

 

 

LOL its okay, I learned something!

 

I am not sure I would want to put my sea pass into the machine, I would probably leave it. I have lost my reward cards many times from doing this.. LOL I can see it now!

 

I hear on Carnival you can use your seapass card in the machines to pay! That would be dangerous for me!