The 500 will not come up as often as the lowest number. Although each number has the same physical space on the wheel, the odds of each number are different, significantly. Because of the nature of how the "system" picks the winning number, an 8 or a 500, is your basic random number generator. What ever number comes up on the generator, the wheel will then spin to that number. The random number generator is constanly running and whenever that button is hit the system geberates the number (instantaneously) and then spins the wheel to that number.

Although anything is possible, I really doubt that the cruise casinos need to cheat. The odds are already in their favor. However, the pay outs on slot machines are normally worse than at other casinos. I've yet to see a sign declaring 98 ot 97 or even 96 % payback!

On a recent cruise, I found it interesting that they skewed the pays on video poker by requiring a higher number of coins in.

Most video poker operates on 5 coins in. In order to get the maximum payout on the highest possible hand (Raoyal Flush) you must play all five coins. Most machines will pay 4000 coins for a Royal Flush with five coins in.

But the video poker on Carnival Cruise ships require 10 coins in to achieve a maximum payout on a Royal Flush. If you only played five coins and got the Royal, got got significantly less than 4000 coins!

With respect to a governing agency. I asked the question of Carnival and was told that they belong to an International, self-governing group of casino operators.

And contrary to what you may think, the shipboard casino is very big business, VERY BIG! They do not want bad publicity about their casino operations and to the best of my knowledge they are operated on the up and up.

I have been on several cruises (again Carnival) where the Players Club of the Venetian and Harrah's New Orleans rewarded their hi-rollers with free cruises and access to cash without a fee and these people, especially in the case of the Venetian, were playing with hundred dollar bills only, and they did the 10 coin in on a bank of $10 video poker machines! Everytime they hit a Royal, or four Aces with a kicker (2, 3 or a 4) they were rewarded with a payout that could buy a car!!

Bottom line, legitimate casino operations make money as long as they can get people into the door. Making people believe you run a dishonest operation is very contrary to that.

Again, just my opinion.

Jim