CASINO RULES AND REGULATIONS 

This information is subject to change without notice. Company or product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.  

CLIA Guidance  

All casinos operated by Carnival Corporation & plc across all brands globally follow guidelines as set forth by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). CLIA is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association and is dedicated to the promotion of a safe and secure cruise ship environment. CLIA is composed of cruise lines serving North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia for whom the safety of guests and crew has no higher priority.  

Visit https://cruising.org for complete details on CLIA guidance and requirements.
 

CLIA Gambling Policy 

CLIA’s members have adopted a policy that all equipment purchased and installed on cruise vessels will meet the regulatory standards of the Nevada Gaming Control Board or other licensed jurisdiction for payback and internal software. 

Rules of play 

The policy is that each line will provide a gaming guide setting forth the rules of play for their casino, and that these rules of play shall generally follow those established for casinos in Nevada, New Jersey, or England. To comply with CLIA’s policy: 

  • These rules of play must be made available in every casino. 
  • Each member is to post at every gaming table minimum and maximum betting limits for each game. 
  • Only adults are allowed to play the slots or the tables. 

Internal controls 

CLIA’s member-approved policy is that all shipboard gambling operations be inspected by each member through its internal audit department on a regular basis, not to exceed 12 months.  (Inspection provision applies to shipboard gambling operations as a whole as opposed to individual ships.) 

Further, all casinos are directed by the policy to have detailed internal control procedures concerning the cash and coin counts, casino cage procedures, and other processes, similar to licensed jurisdictions. 

To comply with the policy each line must employ some form of surveillance to assure operations are fair and equitable for all parties. 

The policy states that each line should separate the operation of the casino from the financial aspects of the casino as clearly as possible including specific duties for cashiers and table gaming staff. 

Customer service 

CLIA’s policy is that onboard casino operations are the overall responsibility of the Hotel Manager or Director, or similar individual(s) charged with ensuring the highest level of conduct for casino staff. 

In case of a gaming dispute, any passenger who feels he or she has an issue that cannot be resolved by the Casino Manager should be able to bring it up to the Hotel Manager, and CLIA’s members have agreed that every effort should be made to resolve the problem. If the issue is not resolved on board the vessel, the policy is that each ship have at the casino cage a current list of contact information for their home office or casino operator where the passenger can pursue their dispute. 

CLIA’s policy is that cruise vessels have onboard comment cards for the inclusion of any comment, concern, or means to improve the gambling system on board the vessel. Gambling is strictly for the enjoyment of the passengers who choose to avail themselves of this form of entertainment.
 

Responsible Gaming  

Carnival Corporation & plc.is committed to promoting the responsible conduct of gaming. At Carnival we offer gaming activities as a form of adult entertainment to be enjoyed responsibly as a budgeted entertainment operation. Gaming is only one of many activities and amenities for adults to enjoy during their cruise. Unfortunately, for a small percentage of the population, gaming is an activity that can be a problem.  

Our employees receive comprehensive training and resources to identify problem gambling and offer assistance and education to guests, including directing guests to available resources. 

A maximum daily Casino charge limit per person applies to your onboard account. 

Please ask Casino staff for details or assistance in contacting the below national gambling help resources:  

  • UK Residents:  www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/talk-to-us-now (or call 0808 8020 133) 
  • Germany Residents: www.ausgezockt.de  (or call 0800 077 6611) 
  • Italy Residents: Gambling Helpline (TVNGA) 800 558 822 
  • US Residents:  ww.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment (or call 1-800-GAMBLER) 

Additionally, if gambling is a problem for you and you would like written information including about the signs of problem gaming, or if you would like other assistance which may include self-exclusion, please contact the Casino Manager, Casino Marketing Manager, Casino Host, or Cashier to discuss our self-exclusion policy.   

House Rules 

  • The Casino will be open while in international waters and in other jurisdictions where permitted by law. 
  • No one under the age of 18 is permitted to gamble or be present on the Casino floor. 
  • Guests are expected to be dressed appropriately – shirts and shoes are required and must also be worn over bathing suit tops; and we ask that guests change out of wet clothes prior to playing. 
  • Management reserves the right to deny access to unruly guests and to eject any guest that exhibits unruly, offensive, or inappropriate behavior or language, determined in the sole discretion of Management. 
  • Guests are permitted to take photos and short video clips of their play with their own personal devices as long as it is not disruptive to the privacy or experiences of other guests. The photos and videos captured must be for the guest’s personal use only. Approval is required for livestreaming and upload to video sharing sites; approval must be requested prior to a sailing via www.oceanplayersclub.com/contact. 
  • Rules of play and instructions on all games are available upon request.  
  • All table games are conducted primarily in English. 
  • Card counting and/or the use of any mechanical/electrical or any other type of device, inclusive of cell phone use, is strictly prohibited. Violators will be subject to forfeiture of all winnings and confiscation of any prohibited devices and may be subject to ejection and temporary or permanent exclusion from casino activity across all Carnival Corporation & PLC vessels.  Management has the sole discretion to determine if such activity is occurring. 
  • ‘No Syndicate Betting Allowed’ — This refers to a collection of players who combine their money together and then place separate bets in an attempt to exceed the table maximum. It is permissible for Guests to share/lend money to each other. However, their gaming activities must be separate and cannot follow the same betting pattern, as this would be interpreted as syndicate betting. In these cases, their combined bets shall not exceed the table maximum.  Management has sole discretion to determine if syndicate betting is occurring. Violators are subject to forfeiture of winnings and temporary or permanent exclusion from casino gaming across all Carnival Corporation & PLC vessels. 
  • Casino chips and tokens are only valid onboard. Please ensure that these are cashed out prior to vessel debarkation. Any chips or tokens taken ashore are to be considered souvenirs and may not be valid on a subsequent cruise. 
  • Management reserves the right to adjust any point or gaming account balance resulting from machine malfunction, operating errors, and/or fraud or other suspicious activity. 
  • Onboard Account Charging privileges are intended to facilitate legitimate, responsible gaming activity. In addition to the ability to deny entrance to a passenger, or to eject a passenger, Management reserves the right to suspend or remove these privileges at Management’s sole discretion and without advanced notice including, but not limited to, for a violation of the House Rules or any other rules. 

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Compliance 

Federal Law requires our compliance with the following processes.  (For values quoted in USD, apply the appropriate exchange rate.) 

  1. File IRS form W2-G for all US citizens and US permanent residents to declare: 
  • any single slot machine win of $2,000 or more 
  • any single Bingo win of $2,000 or more 
  • any single Poker Tournament win, less buy in, greater than or equal to $5,000.01 
  • any single Tournament (other than Poker) win, less buy in, of $2,000 or more and at least 300 times the amount of the buy-in 
  • any table game or scratch card win at odds of 300 to 1 or more where the amount won is $2,000 or more  
  • Lottery wins from a single wager that are $2,000 or more and are at least 300 times the amount wagers, or proceeds are $5,000.01 or greater 

In order to assist us in the completion and accuracy of this form we will require certain information to be submitted prior to payment. There is no backup tax withholding unless the winner fails to provide a valid social security number or tax identification number, in which case we must withhold at a backup rate specified by the IRS. All winnings subject to tax reporting are also subject to withholding at a rate specified by the IRS. 

  1. Withhold taxes on behalf of the IRS for all US citizens and US permanent residents for: 
  • any table game, scratch card, or Tournament (other than Poker) win, minus the wager, at odds of 300 to 1 or more, where the amount won is greater than or equal to $5,000.01 
  • Lottery wins where the amount won, minus the wager, is greater than or equal to $5,000.01 

Tax withholding will be applied at the Regular IRS Gambling Withholding Rate in each of the above situations. 

  1. File an IRS form 1099 to report prizes and awards in instances of a giveaway or win exceeding the value of $2,000 with no wager or entry fee paid. 
  1. File a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) pertinent to currency transactions over $10,000 conducted by, or on behalf of, one person, as well as multiple currency transactions that aggregate to over $10,000 in a single day. 

Smoking and Vaping restrictions 

Smoking and vaping restrictions vary depending on brand, vessel, voyage, and casino.  Please ask Casino Staff for locations of designated smoking areas as per the vessel policy. 

Gaming Wallet 

All balances not claimed may be refunded upon request.  Please contact Casino Guest Services with any questions via Outstanding Balance Request – Ocean Players Club.