Four passengers on the MSC Magnifica cruise ship, departing from Miami, found themselves in hot water after attempting a high-stakes gamble in the ship’s casino.
Michael F. Emmanuel, 35; Tyrisha Delgado, 38; Devin Jones, 28; and Quentin Marcellus Tuck, 32, were arrested on fraud charges during the four-day cruise, which set sail on August 19. The suspects sought to cash in substantial amounts of money using fraudulent credit cards, engaging in slot machine play and other casino games, according to arrest reports obtained by South Florida’s WTVJ-TV. Besides the organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, and fraudulent use of credit cards, Emmanuel, Delgado, and Jones faced additional charges for the fraudulent use of ID.
MSC’s security team promptly alerted US Customs and Border Protection, who then coordinated with Bahamian authorities to ensure that the suspects could not leave the ship at any of its stops in the Bahamas. Upon the ship’s return to Miami, the four individuals were taken into custody and booked into Miami-Dade County Jail. Further investigations revealed that the suspects had also used fraudulent credit cards to pay for their cruise tickets.
Casinos are a big draw for cruise passengers, mainly because they are a constant entertainment option aboard larger ships. The MSC Magnifica’s Atlantic City Casino, where the suspects made their fraudulent attempts, spans 6,780 square feet and hosts slot machines, roulette, and blackjack tables, accommodating 222 people.
Gambling on cruise ships adheres to the local laws of wherever the ship is docked. Since commercial gambling is illegal in Florida, the MSC Magnifica’s casino remains closed until it sails beyond 12 nautical miles from the US coastline. Regulated by the Washington, DC-based Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruise ship casinos are notorious for offering lower payback percentages on slot machines and higher house edges on table games compared to land-based casinos. Without competition, passengers have no alternative gaming options.
This incident shines a light on the risk factors associated with onboard casinos, where the lure of easy money can lead to murky waters for those willing to break the law.
