Cayman Islands Wants Cruise Ships to Keep Casinos Open in Territorial Waters

Presently, the Cayman Islands are one of the most visited cruise ship destinations and the proliferation of casinos onboard those ships has created a conflict between the jurisdiction’s restrictive laws on gambling and travelers’ soft spot for games of chances.

Gambling Laws that Impinge on Cruise Ship Profitability

Under present laws, the Cayman Islands expect cruise ships to shutter their casinos while they are docked in Caymanian waters or passing through, a demand that cruise lines have duly observed.

But, what if, wonders Minister of Tourism and Ports Kenneth Bryan, that was to change, allowing casinos onboard cruise ships to actually continue to operate while they were docked? This would not have any broader implications for the local population and residents, who would still be unable to access gambling products, argues the minister.

Casinos would still only be restricted to passengers who are traveling with cruise ships, however, meaning that no one else would be able to play.

The change, though, would significantly ease the burden of operations that cruise ships face as presently they have to shutter operations and plan their trips, not accounting for changes in the weather, in order to comply with both their itineraries, but also not breach Caymanian gambling law when entering the jurisdiction’s territorial waters.

Bryan has also said that the change was necessary to make financial sense to companies docking in the Cayman Islands. Ultimately, some cruise ships may be reluctant to head for the islands as they would have to shutter their operations and choose other regional alternatives instead, costing the Cayman Islands money.

Let Travelers Choose – The Caymans or Casinos

The proposal comes after discussions with the cruise lines themselves, pondering the implications of what this minor change could do to business and how it could contribute to the local economy. It’s not as clear-cut as Bryan makes it look at first glance.

For example, casinos won’t be open until 3 pm, as one of the floated watersheds.

“We want to make sure that they weren’t allowed to open until passengers have had a good opportunity to come off the ship,” Bryan argues, suggesting that ultimately – travelers ought to be given a choice whether they would want to keep gambling or check out the local attractions, boosting the economy as they go and spend their money.