Do you think Disney would ever get into Casino gaming?

[tvguy]

Oh, sure, Disney getting into casino gaming sounds like a brilliant idea. Because nothing says "family fun" like spinning roulette wheels and slot machines, right? I went to a themed casino once, and honestly, it was a wild time—characters, shows, and music everywhere. I could totally see Mickey and friends rolling dice, lol.

We should know soon when the Disney Adventure launches in Asia. I say that because supposedly customers in the Asian cruise markets require a casino.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/megand...out-asia-based-cruise-ship-launching-in-2025/

 

[GAN]

Oh, sure, Disney getting into casino gaming sounds like a brilliant idea. Because nothing says "family fun" like spinning roulette wheels and slot machines, right? I went to a themed casino once, and honestly, it was a wild time—characters, shows, and music everywhere. I could totally see Mickey and friends rolling dice, lol.

It does make sense with the ESPN tie-in …professional sports leagues don’t even hide the fact that they support gambling anymore.

 

[fla4fun]

I think the issue would be having to restrict it to an 18+ or 21+ crowd. If they added a casino to WDW I think there would be issues with people complaining that they couldn’t bring their kids into the casinos. I can see it working more easily on DCL where there are kids clubs than on land near the theme parks, although that would certainly change the demographic on Disney cruises. A casino is something they could put in the closed Star Wars hotel, since it is set apart and they could more easily keep minors out. I don’t think they could do it without offering kids clubs again in some of the resorts though.

Do I think they will do it? I don’t know. I never thought they would sell alcohol in the parks, and here we are. So it may not happen soon but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens eventually. It’s all about the money, you know . . .

 

[Robber Baron]

Disney may take advantage of the opportunity, they may not.

One thing is for certain though, Walt will be doing no rolling over.

 

[jtopp]

Yes. Being in the entertainment business, casinos are a cash cow that cannot be ignored. Maybe not on the cruise ships, certainly not in the theme parks, but definitely in a stand alone hotel. Given their ownership with ESPN, I'm surprised they are not already involved in sports betting, even with a third party affiliation.

 

[greeneyedchick]

Given their ownership with ESPN, I'm surprised they are not already involved in sports betting, even with a third party affiliation.

They already are in sports betting. https://fortune.com/2023/11/15/disney-sports-gambling-launch-espn-bet/

 

[greeneyedchick]

We should know soon when the Disney Adventure launches in Asia. I say that because supposedly customers in the Asian cruise markets require a casino.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/megand...out-asia-based-cruise-ship-launching-in-2025/

That article implies that there is no casino on the ship. At the bottom of the article where it's discussing Disney's modifications to the partially built ship, it says "Along with the new family-friendly zones, some of which replace the planned onboard casino, Disney will repaint the hull of the ship to its iconic black and gold. " The sentence implies that Disney built over the area that was supposed to be the casino.

 

[tvguy]

That article implies that there is no casino on the ship. At the bottom of the article where it's discussing Disney's modifications to the partially built ship, it says "Along with the new family-friendly zones, some of which replace the planned onboard casino, Disney will repaint the hull of the ship to its iconic black and gold. " The sentence implies that Disney built over the area that was supposed to be the casino.

It does, but so called experts in the Asian cruise market question how Disney can compete in THAT market where casinos are a much higher priority for passengers. We'll see soon. Sort of like no alcohol in Disney parks, it may give way to consumer preferences.

 

[SteveMouse]

In Florida, any foray Disney might make into gambling would likely need to be in collaboration with one or more Native American tribes to pass legal muster. A likely partner would be the Seminoles, which are behind the Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida. They have been quite successful in that operation.

The ships are a different story.

 

[Billioneduc]

Totally get why people would think it’s not Disney’s vibe, but there are already places where traditional family fun and gambling mix—just not under the same branding. I’ve seen sites like casino zonder cruks that cater to those who want to play without national self-exclusion systems.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Another thread about Disney building a park in Singapore made me wonder if Disney would ever partner with or somehow get into the casino gaming business, such as including a casino on a DCL ship...

Disney and casinos don’t mix… even ESPN Bet and Penn failed hard on the overall gambling spectrum…

 

[Dan Murphy]

I don’t see it happening, mostly because it goes against the family-friendly image they’ve worked so hard to keep. Even their adult stuff stays pretty clean and on-brand.

Welcome to the DIS, @Billioneduc

 

[longboard55]

Casinos are not doing well, too many out there now, plus online

 

[kdonnel]

Casinos are not doing well, too many out there now, plus online

Nevada has done well enough in 2025 through November. The year end numbers won't be out until the end of January.

https://www.yogonet.com/internation...-billion-in-november-strip-posts-modest-gains

Gaming revenue in Nevada continued to edge higher through the first 11 months of 2025, with statewide takings up 1.5% and the Las Vegas Strip recording a modest increase despite softer visitation, according to data released by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB).

Though some theorize the Las Vegas strip and downtown numbers are heavily influenced by the luck or in this case bad luck of whale baccarat players

 

[longboard55]

Two things I do not want on my Disney cruise. Casinos and all you can drink packages.

 

[tvguy]

Nevada has done well enough in 2025 through November. The year end numbers won't be out until the end of January.

https://www.yogonet.com/internation...-billion-in-november-strip-posts-modest-gains



Though some theorize the Las Vegas strip and downtown numbers are heavily influenced by the luck or in this case bad luck of whale baccarat players

The Indian Casinos killed Nevada gaming in the last 20 years. When Harrahs in Reno closed, I knew it was a huge problem.

 

[Travel60]

I hope they never put casinos on the cruise ships. The only reason I'm willing to pay Disney's high prices and put up with all the kids and their antics is no casinos. I've been on other lines that have casinos and....no thanks. The bingo is bad enough.

 

[kdonnel]

The Indian Casinos killed Nevada gaming in the last 20 years. When Harrahs in Reno closed, I knew it was a huge problem.

How so?

https://gaming.library.unlv.edu/reports/longterm_nvgaming.pdf

Nevada total gaming revenue over the last 20 years
2004 - 10.5 billion
....
2024 - 15.6 billion

A nearly 50% increase in annual revenue in 20 years. While 2% a year average growth is low by many business standards, when the numbers are in billions it is still a tremendous amount of money.

Visitation numbers are way down for 2025, but the visitors that have gone have likely gambled and lost more in 2025 than in 2024 based on the 11 months leading up to the end of the year.

I know there are more places to gamble now than 20 years ago, but for now it seems like Las Vegas / Nevada has continued to be a draw.

 

[tvguy]

How so?

https://gaming.library.unlv.edu/reports/longterm_nvgaming.pdf

Nevada total gaming revenue over the last 20 years
2004 - 10.5 billion
....
2024 - 15.6 billion

A nearly 50% increase in annual revenue in 20 years. While 2% a year average growth is low by many business standards, when the numbers are in billions it is still a tremendous amount of money.

Visitation numbers are way down for 2025, but the visitors that have gone have likely gambled and lost more in 2025 than in 2024 based on the 11 months leading up to the end of the year.

I know there are more places to gamble now than 20 years ago, but for now it seems like Las Vegas / Nevada has continued to be a draw.

When adjusted for inflation, $10.5 million in 2004 would be $18.02 billion today, a drop of $2.42 billion......or 23%.

 

[gsdweller]

I hope they never get into the casino business. In the end, casinos just end up being a tax on people for not being too bright.