P&O Cruises is in hot water over allegations of using unfair tactics to get passengers to gamble in its casinos, according to The Daily Mail. The British cruise company is even accused of detaining passengers on board when they couldn’t pay their casino debts, which is said to be illegal.
Tragedy struck in May when Australian Shane Dixon lost AU$9,000 (US$5,800) in the ship’s casino and tragically jumped overboard as the cruise returned to Sydney Harbour. Dixon, who was going through financial difficulties and had recently lost family members, booked the cruise to lift his spirits.
Following Dixon’s death, Carter Capner Law has received numerous complaints from potential plaintiffs. The law firm plans to file a class-action lawsuit against P&O for its alleged predatory practices. Despite some modifications made by P&O after the negative publicity, passengers claim they were encouraged to gamble beyond their means with offers of perks and credit lines.
One passenger shared his experience of being allowed to gamble AU$6,000 (US$4,000) despite having only AU$2,000 in his bank account. He was detained on board for three hours upon return to Sydney until he threatened to jump overboard. Another passenger was enticed to gamble with promises of a free cruise, unlimited alcohol, and credit of AU$5,000 per day, despite already owing AU$25,000 (US$16,000) in gambling debts.
Peter Carter from Carter Capner Law condemned P&O’s actions, stating that preventing passengers from leaving the ship and interrogating them about their casino debts at the port is against the law. Despite P&O’s plans to rebrand as Carnival Cruise Line next year, the looming lawsuit is likely to tarnish its reputation.
