The largest cruise line in the world, Carnival Corporation, just joined the American Gaming Association (AGA).

The national trade association for the commercial and tribal gaming sectors is the American Gaming Association (AGA), which has its headquarters in Washington, DC.  In order to encourage legal, regulated casino gambling and other types of gaming, the advocacy seeks to create commercial and policy settings.

The first cruise line to join the AGA is Carnival, based in Miami.

"Joining the American Gaming Association is an important step in advancing our industry leadership and ensuring we remain at the forefront of responsible gaming and regulatory best practices,” said Marty Goldman, Carnival Corporation’s senior vice president of global gaming. “This partnership opens new avenues for collaboration and knowledge-sharing that will directly benefit our guests, team members, and the broader Carnival Corporation organization.”

The gaming lobby was "ecstatic" to welcome its first cruise line member, according to Maureen Beddis, senior vice president of membership and events for the AGA.

“Their commitment to delivering world-class gaming experiences at sea complements our efforts to promote innovation, collaboration, and responsible gaming across the industry. We look forward to working together to strengthen our collective impact,” said Beddis. 

The Gaming Focus at Carnival

Casino.org announced in May that Carnival was offering casino-focused, adult-only, limited-time excursions.  Carnival insiders reported that the unique voyages including slot and table gaming promos, known as "ACES" or "All-Casino Exclusive Sailings," originated due to shipyard scheduling challenges that delayed the scheduled dry docking of multiple boats, including Carnival Magic and Conquest.

Every Carnival cruise ship has a casino, and the majority of them have both smoking and nonsmoking sections.  The group claims that Carnival will be able to access industry-only data and resources, professional development programs, networking and collaboration opportunities, and lobbying and policy support as a result of the company's membership in the AGA.

“As part of the AGA, Carnival earns a seat at the table for national conversations, learning from and contributing to developments in gaming regulation, responsible gaming initiatives, and policy advocacy. This partnership allows corporate leaders and team members to stay at the forefront of industry trends, access cutting-edge data, and participate in events and committees that shape the future of gaming,” a release from the AGA added.

Are Casinos on Cruises Real?

Cruise ships' casinos are not permitted to open until they enter international waters, where the regulations that govern their port of departure are suspended.

This is not to argue that there are no rules governing the slot machines and table games on a cruise ship.  Members of the Cruise Lines International Association include Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, Emerald, Holland, MSC, Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin.

The cruise lines' casinos are subject to the same regulatory requirements as the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), which is frequently regarded as the gold standard of casino regulation, because they are members of the CLIA.

Every year, the compliance of each CLIA member's casino operation is examined.

Similar regulations that apply to casinos in Nevada also apply to cruise casinos, including requirements for slot machines that have a minimum 75% payback rate.  In order to keep patrons, the majority of Nevadan casinos, especially those in Las Vegas, pay out at a significantly greater rate, sometimes reaching 90%.  Casinos on cruise ships typically pay out between 80% and 85%.