How does Royal Caribbean pay out large-ish casino payouts?

[MikeTheNFT]

Maybe a dumb question, but do they always payout in cash? Is there a point where it's a check of some sort? If you finish your cruise with like $5k-10k in chips or on your card, for example. Mostly just wondering because I do spend time there and sometimes wonder about dealing with these things if you arrive at a destination far from home with more cash than you'd prefer to carry, etc.

[UKWLDCruise]

I was paid $3,500 in cash on the last night, it seems that is just the way they do it.   Of course I didn't have the US tax problem to worry about.

[Tin can]

Interesting question, I have never seen or even heard of anyone winning really big in a RCCL casino. I guess it must happen though and I'm also guessing the payout is in cash as who would be authorised on board to sign a large cheque.

 

[PWP-001]

I know you asked specifically about RCL -- which I am interested to get some confirmation -- but I can share with you personal experience on Princess Cruises.  On two different cruises I was lucky to win jackpots > $10,000.  I would have preferred a check, but was told that it could be done, but would be processed on shore and mailed to me.  I took the cash.  This did mean that I had to declare it; that only took a few minutes for customs to complete a CTR.

 

Casino operations on ships don't have the same regulatory scrutiny as do land based casinos do in the USA, but they certainly do have their own internal controls and regulations that mirror land based casinos.  It's just good business.  Part of that is making immediate winning payouts in cash.   

[MikeTheNFT]

Awesome, thanks for the quick feedback folks! Sort of glad I didn't win big on my last transatlantic 🙂 I mean, I'd rather a large jackpot of course, but also it would have been interesting spending a week or two wandering around Europe with $10k in a bag or something and then flying home with it and all that.

[gumshoe958]

36 minutes ago, rennyn said:

Awesome, thanks for the quick feedback folks! Sort of glad I didn't win big on my last transatlantic 🙂 I mean, I'd rather a large jackpot of course, but also it would have been interesting spending a week or two wandering around Europe with $10k in a bag or something and then flying home with it

 

 

Not recommended! Word will soon get round the ship that there’s a big winner on board, and that word could easily spread on land when you disembark.

 

Edited October 8, 2022 by gumshoe958

[Casino Comp Chick]

I knew a heavy gambler who won a lot of money and the casino didn’t have the cash to pay out, they wanted to pay out with a check and he demanded cash “since I used cash to play” so they had to pick up money at the stop in Florida to pay him out.

[orwell-g]

I neven won more than 10k, but below 10k I can confirm: RCL, NCL, Carnival, Cunard, HAL and Princess just give you cash in USD

[Lionesss]

October 2021 on Symphony

 

Won $15,000 on Spitfire machine (quarters)

 

Paid 150 == $100 dollar bills.

 

3 days left in cruise

 

It was a fun experience meeting customs as we reentered the Miami.  

 

 

You can only come in with $10,000

 

 

• Rare

 

 

 

• grapau27, alexgtp, aztekpm and 26 others
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Edited October 8, 2022 by Lionesss

[Thesandman12]

10 hours ago, rennyn said:

Maybe a dumb question, but do they always payout in cash? Is there a point where it's a check of some sort? If you finish your cruise with like $5k-10k in chips or on your card, for example. Mostly just wondering because I do spend time there and sometimes wonder about dealing with these things if you arrive at a destination far from home with more cash than you'd prefer to carry, etc.

cash, at sea no taxes.

[goldfish65]

41 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

October 2021 on Symphony

 

Won $15,000 on Spitfire machine (quarters)

 

Paid 150 == $100 dollar bills.

 

3 days left in cruise

 

It was a fun experience meeting customs as we reentered the Miami.  

 

 

You can only come in with $10,000

 

 

• Rare

 

 

 

• grapau27, alexgtp, aztekpm and 26 others
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Did customs confiscate $5,015.75? 

What if one were to hide some of the money in their luggage? 

[Lionesss]

11 minutes ago, goldfish65 said:

 

Did customs confiscate $5,015.75? 

What if one were to hide some of the money in their luggage? 

 

 

Just to let you know what went down.

 

• Rare
• •  

 

Did you ever watch the show. 
 

TO CATCH A SMUGGLER?????

 

WELL

 

leaving the terminal at the facial recognition screen. Mine lights up RED. 
They asked for and took my passport. 

 

The attendant leads me to a custom guard. And he asks do you know why you are in front of me????

 

 

 

I go sir. ………. Then he goes follow me. 
 

I was escorted behind the scenes to a waiting area and asked to take a seat. 2 custom agents came to me (one with a clipboard), In addition to my passport the nice customs officer asked for my drivers license and gave it to the clipboard man. 
I could see them. They first station had a lady from our cruise and all her luggage was being inspected piece by piece then they scanned it thru the X-ray machine. 
 

The second station the customs agent was playing on his phone. 
 

And my passport and drivers license were in the hands of the man in the third station who kept punching in stuff in the computer and looking back at me. 
 

I looked around the room and there was a security camera  in the upper corner of the room. And you had to have access to get out.  It happened so fast it looked like badge access but I was overwhelmed with computer man at the time. 

 

So customs man one comes back ( I’m going to call him “A” for now).  And in his hands is a simple declaration form.  I go —-I went to customer service on the ship and asked for that.  He goes what did they say. 
I go they said you didn’t buy the money , you won it. You don’t need it only if you purchase more than $800 dollars of goods. 

“A” goes fill it out. 
 

I did. Takes it to his partner. I’ll call him “B”. 
 

“B” looks at it and next thing you know “A” comes back and goes “ you were on an out of country cruise and your saying you didn’t buy anything?????  “ 

 

I go to the DH Did  HE bought 2 bottles of Buffalo trace and some sweat shirts. 
 

“A” goes. How much. I go I don’t know my DH bought it. 
 

“A” goes guess.  (Really)!

I go what if I guess wrong. 
He goes estimate. I did and put (est) behind it. 
 

So now that basic form is done. 
 

“ A” leaves and gives it to “B”. 
 

Back on the computer they go.  Man they are Spending  little too much time there. And our ride to FLL was going to be outside area 4 at 9 am. And it is now 8:30. 
 

So “A” comes back and said  “we used to fill out the report on paper but now you have to access it on your phone and he pulls out this little ripped up piece of paper that “B” made him write the site down on. 

oh lord. I’m techno illiterate. 
 

so “A” has me go to safari. 
I did. 
No service 

“A” goes take it out of airplane mode. I go ok. My DH forgot to tell me to do it. 
 

So I turn off airplane mode and now. 
“ no service” in that room 

 

So A goes and talks to B and A comes back and we stand closer to the window. I guess reception in that room is bad. 
 

So piece of scrap paper out. I punch in a “USgov. Site. And it loaded 

 

I had to fill out a detailed form starting with my personal data all the numbers from my passport to drivers license. 
 

Then the trouble began  

The second to last question 

 

Where did this occur?

 

USgov. Did not accept on a cruise ship at sea. 

 

so    “ A “ goes and talks to “B”. And they are back on the computer. 
 

“A” returns and goes “ we’re you closer to         St Marteen or St Thomas. I go sir I do not know.    I was in a casino on the ship. He looks at me and goes what do you think. I go for an official report. I really do not know. 
 

So “ A” leaves. Talks to “B”. 

“B” not looking happy. 
On computer again. 
 

“A” comes back. 
 

And goes. 
 

Just put Bahamas. It took that. 
 

So now I finish the checklist section and about 8 basic questions. 

Finally the last area was the traditional  that all the information provided is correct and you could be facing penalties if information submitted incorrect.  Then sign. 
 

I looked at “A” and said you told me to estimate what my DH bought. If I’m wrong. I don’t want to be penalized. 
I’m concerned about signing. 
 

So “A” goes to “B”. And the look on “B” face then A comes back and said your ok just sign. 
 

I go just like customer service on the ship telling me I did need a declaration form. And look where that got me. 
 

He goes. No you did not know that you need declaration form. You were honest when you declared to me what you won. You were fine. You are done. 
 

Finally I go what if I would have not admitted I had over $10,000. In winnings. Could I have just passed through. 

“A” goes you were red alerted on facial recognition. It is our job to figure out why. 
Some people do not tell the truth. Most do. We estimate on our audits that maybe 5% sneak by this phase. 

But the cruise line submits forms in and you would eventually be identified and pay penalties. 
You provided all the information. You just have to pay your taxes. 
 

Then “A” goes what kinda machine we’re you on!”  
I go quarters 

 

He goes congratulations. 
Have a nice day. 
 

Im free. 
 

He lets me out and I run to the DH just as our ride was coming around the bend. 

 

 

 

They did not confiscate any cash I left with the 150 bills in my purse.

When I won on the ship they gave me a US tax winning form that I turned in with taxes.

 

I asked if I had further losses  or gave $9,000 to the husband and only had   under $10,000 would I have had to go through this------he goes, since it cannot be proved and your husband did not alert the customs agents by lighting up his screen, yes you would still be listed as over $10,000.

 

And yes I still play quarter machines.

 

Be safe

 

 

 

 

 

[Jetdriver787]

I used to travel with large cash sums around the world at my employers insistence. Although I always expected customs to be excited, nobody ever cared. They just gave you an additional form to fill in once you ticked that you were actually carrying more than 10,000 USD, pounds or Euro. The only time I ever recall having a problem was at Washington Dulles where the officer couldn’t much care about the cash either but was much more excited as to whether I had a permit to actually land at IAD. I did and presented it to him, but he seemed unimpressed for some reason and started making noises about impounding the aircraft. I probably should have been less flippant about shrugging and saying it was my employers and not mine so he was welcome to it, but adding to the long list of things he obviously hated about his life wasn’t going to make his or my day any better.

 

little did either of us know that later on another guy would arrive in Washington with his own Boeing 757 and spend 4 years setting the world alight!

[HicksRA]

I just saw a pic on that other media site this morning where a young lady won $21k on a Dancing Drums machine on a Royal ship. 
That’s a lot of $100 bills!

[goldfish65]

Thank you @Lionesss, that was very interesting. The only time I carried over $10k in cash out of the country and back in (a land purchase that never happened) was over 20 yrs ago, no one checked but obviously things are quite different now.

Edited October 8, 2022 by goldfish65

[Richst48]

2 hours ago, HicksRA said:

I just saw a pic on that other media site this morning where a young lady won $21k on a Dancing Drums machine on a Royal ship. 
That’s a lot of $100 bills!

I saw that too and questioned if it was real.  If you look at the photo closely it looks like she was photoshopped in to the pic!

[PolicromaSol]

13 hours ago, Tin can said:

Interesting question, I have never seen or even heard of anyone winning really big in a RCCL casino. I guess it must happen though and I'm also guessing the payout is in cash as who would be authorised on board to sign a large cheque.

 

 

I'm sure my Mother in Law would,   but you'd never get her on a boat!

[BirdTravels]

13 hours ago, rennyn said:

Awesome, thanks for the quick feedback folks! Sort of glad I didn't win big on my last transatlantic 🙂 I mean, I'd rather a large jackpot of course, but also it would have been interesting spending a week or two wandering around Europe with $10k in a bag or something and then flying home with it and all that.

As long as you remember that brining in >$10K into some countries and specifically the US, requires that you declare that to customs. Doesn't matter if it is cash, checks, or bearer bonds. If you have more than $10K in monetary instruments you need to declare. You need to fill out the information on their website and report to CBP before leaving the terminal. 

Edited October 8, 2022 by BirdTravels

[mom2miracles]

Question. Why is it that when you are playing Bingo, and win a jackpot bigger than $1,500 do they tell you/remind you - over and over again, that you will be taxed? The last few cruises they announced this EVERY time a win would be in excess of $1,500. Seemed very odd to tax on such a small amount (compared to some of the wins being discussed here in the Casino). In Canada, we don't get taxed on any winnings - no matter how big or small. With that said, if we win in the US (or any Country with specific tax laws on winnings) we have to pay taxes on those funds in excess of whatever the cutoff is for that specific Country (not a Canadian regulation, but having to follow the rules in other Countries). So, in the US, we would be taxed for winnings over $10K and then file in Canada to get it back. What they warn you about in bingo seems to go against everything being said in this post. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Edited October 8, 2022 by mom2miracles

[Ret MP]

Man, I wish I had some of these winnings problems.  I can't seem to win a buck on the machines.  But, I keep trying and trying and trying......

[smokeybandit]

I won $20 in the casino once. I was ecstatic

[Ret MP]

1 hour ago, Ret MP said:

Man, I wish I had some of these winnings problems.  I can't seem to win a buck on the machines.  But, I keep trying and trying and trying......

BTW, Einstein comes to mind here.

[luvcruzing]

Any win over $1,200 is taxable and generates a W-2G form to report your winnings for tax purposes.  But, the government also says all winnings should be reported.

[E&D2004]

53 minutes ago, luvcruzing said:

Any win over $1,200 is taxable and generates a W-2G form to report your winnings for tax purposes.  But, the government also says all winnings should be reported.

To be clear, all US Gambling winnings are subject to Income Tax however you don't get a W-2G unless the single jackpot (like on a slot machine) is $1,200 or more.  If you win on table games you should not get a W-2G when you cash in because they don't know how much you bought in for.  At least that's how it works in land based casinos.  Also, you can deduct your losses up to the amount of your winnings so it's generally a wash if you declare losses.  Most people (not me of course) only declare winnings up to the amount that the get W-2Gs for and then declare losses in the exact same amount.  

 

[Ret MP]

18 minutes ago, E&D2004 said:

To be clear, all US Gambling winnings are subject to Income Tax however you don't get a W-2G unless the single jackpot (like on a slot machine) is $1,200 or more.  If you win on table games you should not get a W-2G when you cash in because they don't know how much you bought in for.  At least that's how it works in land based casinos.  Also, you can deduct your losses up to the amount of your winnings so it's generally a wash if you declare losses.  Most people (not me of course) only declare winnings up to the amount that the get W-2Gs for and then declare losses in the exact same amount.  

 

100% right-on!

 

Several years ago, my wife won ~$3,000.00.  Got the W-2G, and at tax time, I claimed the exact same amount of my losses, as the win.  No problem.  BTW, some people tried to advise me that in order to claim Gambling Losses, you have to be a Registered Professional Gambler.  I couldn't find that anywhere in the IRS website.  So, I went through it.  Like I said, several years ago, at least 10. No problem, no issues, no letters from the IRS, zip, nada, nut'in.  

Edited October 9, 2022 by Ret MP