It has been over a century since the first commercial flight took off, but the industry is still as rigid as ever. When it comes to in-flight entertainment, very few commercial airlines have incorporated casinos. Singapore Airlines tried it in the 80s, but it failed. Swiss Air added gambling to its in-flight system in 1998, and it was a disaster. Could there be an iteration of the future in which gambling is a part of flight entertainment screens?
When we talk of gambling in airplanes, it is only fair that we compare it with the success it has had in marine ships. To learn about traditional online and sports casinos, check out Ussportsbonus.com. There are cruise ships designed and built specifically for gambling, and they are a huge success. Why hasn’t the success of gambling at sea been replicated in the air?
The Tech is Ready, What are Airlines Waiting For?
There are various ‘good’ reasons why no commercial airplanes today have in-built gambling systems. The Swiss Air plane crash of 1998 is on top of the list. Swiss Air added gambling screens to its planes, which caused overheating that led to the crash. However, those systems were bulky, power-hungry, and frankly did not offer the entertainment it promised.
As the world changes, the tech used in casinos in 1998 is archaic compared to what is available today. The gambling industry embraced Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) games ages ago. These systems are good enough to be safely installed in a plane of any size. After all, most of today’s gaming systems run on rechargeable batteries. The question is, would it work?
Challenging Times Ahead Could Force Airlines to Face New Reality
The Coronavirus pandemic has debilitated the airline industry. Things may never get back to what they were, at least not before a cure for COVID-19 is found. Facing decreased business, could airlines take this opportunity to leverage the gambling industry to get back on its feet?
Airplanes claim that they offer on-board Wi-Fi so passengers can get entertained online in-flight. This system shows the disconnect between the airline and the gambling industries. In-flight gambling would be an excellent idea to open up a new stream of income for the airlines. The airplanes could partner with casinos to offer casino experience in the air, rather than merely provide access to games.
The passengers could gamble during long flights with cash and bet and win frequent flyer miles. For the airlines, this could be the solution to their present and future insolvency problems. It may be just a matter of time before a smart airline becomes the first to embrace gambling the way the cruise industry did.
The Problem With the Laws of The Land (And Air)
The maritime law is favorable to cruise ships. The gambling laws that govern the vessel are determined by the country in which the ship is registered. Gambling cruise ships are often registered in countries and territories that are friendly to gambling.
Stricter laws govern airplanes. The plane is governed by the laws of the country over which it is flying. For instance, in-flight gambling is illegal within the American airspace as per the US federal laws. Even if another country were to permit gambling as in-flight entertainment, the planes would have a hard time flying over or landing in the US. This alone is a reason for most airlines not to wish to invest in airplane casinos.
The laws that govern airlines and the commercial aviation industry are incredibly complex. According to Airways Magazine, this is the reason gambling is not an option in in-flight entertainment. Since airlines must survive despite the pandemic, perhaps it is time to simplify these laws. The stage is ready for this revolution, but it will take effort and time before you can board a commercial casino airplane.
