P&O Cruises Australia faces an imminent class action lawsuit over its “unethical and predatory” practices in ship casinos.
The issue came to light after guest Shane Dixon reportedly jumped overboard due to racking up thousands of dollars in the casino over two nights.
P&O Cruises Australia Thought to Have Jumped Overboard Due to Debts
Carter Capner Law director Peter Carter says the incident caused an outcry in Australia, which has spurred other passengers to come forward. He says the law firm has been “inundated with stories” of guests being allowed to build up big gambling debts without being informed.
Dixon racked up an AU$ 9,000 ($5,869) gambling debt over two nights. His mother had paid off the $5,000 debt from the first night. “We expect to file either December or January,” Carter said of the lawsuit.
“It will proceed. We have to see what the cruise lines have to say. Some people are naturally included to not want to reveal that they were duped in this way, but they can be assured of confidentially.”
Carter said the lawsuit predominantly targets P&O Cruises Australia, but a few people have come forward with stories of alleged predatory practices on Royal Caribbean sailings in Australia.
“The cruise lines think that once they’re in international waters anything goes. We have a different opinion and we think there are still regulations that need to be followed,” Carter said. “It wouldn’t be tolerated in Australia and our objective is to get compensation for those passengers who’ve been financially harmed.”
The man overboard incident aboard P&O Cruises’ Pacific Adventure happened earlier this year. Not long after, parent Carnival Corp announced the P&O Cruises Australia brand would be shut down and be integrated into the flagship brand, Carnival Cruise Line.
Law Firm Claims Cruise Lines Violating Gaming Laws
Carter says cruise lines have potentially violated Australian laws that land-based gaming facilities must abide by. These include plying gamblers with free alcohol and giving credit without checking guests’ financial status.
“Aggressive incentive programs that can encourage excessive gambling” were potential factors in the death of passenger Dixon, the law firm claims. A spokesperson for P&O Cruises Australia responded to Yahoo News Australia, saying it has Responsible Conduct of Gaming Policies displayed on all P&O ships and “takes those policies seriously.”
Read More: Man Overboard on a Cruise Ship — What Happens Next?
