If you´re easily bored on planes, maybe a little blackjack will help pass the time.
LONDON (Reuters) - Airline passengers may soon be able to while away the air miles with in-flight gambling if low-cost carrier Ryanair's latest cash-generation scheme becomes reality.
Dublin-based Ryanair, which has hit the jackpot by charging passengers for food, baggage and movies, said on Tuesday gambling on board its planes may be the next big thing.
Chief executive Michael O'Leary said the usual government restrictions on European land-bound gambling operations were unlikely to apply in the air.
"I don't know who would stop you. It is like duty-free; you are in international waters," he told reporters.
While it is some time away, O'Leary said the technology does exist to adapt the airline's new in-flight entertainment systems for the use of gambling with credit cards. He described the revenue potential as "enormous."
Gambling operators have expressed interest, although there are no formal talks underway.
Ryanair this week started testing the entertainment systems, which allow passengers to watch movies and other entertainment from laptop-size devices.
Like most Ryanair in-flight extras, including food and drinks, passengers pay extra for the service. O'Leary once famously remarked he would charge passengers for ice if he could get away with it.
Ryanair, Europe's biggest low-cost airline, earlier reported a surge in first-half profit after a strong summer.
