Princess Cruises launches sports betting at seaPrincess Cruises launches sports betting at sea

This real-time wagering option on board MedallionClass ships gives the opportunity to bet on major sports competitions like professional and college football, basketball, baseball and hockey as well as a wide variety of other domestic and international events. (Due to Carnival Corp.'s affiliation with the Miami Heat, bets cannot be place in Ocean Sportsbook on NBA events involving the Heat.)

When the ship is in international waters, or wherever permitted by law, passengers can use the MedallionClass app to wager on a host of major sports competitions and place prop bets during live events taking place during their cruise. They also will have the opportunity to place bets on future competitions that occur well after their voyage.

'On Princess MedallionClass cruises our guests can stay connected with their friends and family around the world, and now with Ocean Sportsbook, they can also stay connected to their favorite teams and wager on a host of events whenever they sail with us,' Princess President Jan Swartz said.

Sports betting is ballooning

With more than $20bn in wagers placed with US sportsbooks in the past two years, sports betting is experiencing extraordinary growth, and is expected to reach more than $155bn by 2024.

Built in partnership with software developer, Miomni, Ocean Sportsbook will be available on all Princess MedallionClass ships upon approval to return to service in 2021. The new sportsbook is part of Ocean Casino, a digital experience that lets wagers be placed beyond the on an assortment of games that include blackjack, slots, poker, roulette, bingo, keno and lottery.

MedallionClass vacations are enabled by the OceanMedallion wearable device.