AGA Sets Sail: Carnival Cruises Joins Forces with Gaming Lobby

^{Carnival Cruise Lines is now fully invested in its casino operations as a member of the American Gaming Association. (Photo: Dylan Stewart / Image of Sport)}

The largest trade group for the gaming industry expanded its reach on Friday, as the American Gaming Association (AGA) welcomed Carnival Corporation as its latest member.

Carnival became the first cruise firm to join the AGA, joining a litany of land-based and online gaming operators who are part of the influential casino-industry trade organization.

Carnival Sees Regulatory Benefits in AGA Membership

Carnival Cruise Line is based out of Doral, Florida, and has been offering vacation cruises since 1972. The company touted its membership in the AGA as a way to improve its responsible gaming practices, among other benefits.

“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,” Carnival Senior Vice President of Global Gaming Marty Goldman said in a statement. “This partnership opens new avenues for collaboration and knowledge-sharing that will directly benefit our guests, team members and the broader Carnival Corporation organization.”

Carnival advertises casino offerings on most of its cruises. The ships offer a variety of games including slots, blackjack, poker, lottery drawings, and more. The company even offers its own casino loyalty program called the Carnival Players Club.

The AGA also praised the first-of-its-kind partnership with Carnival.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Carnival Corporation to the American Gaming Association,” Maureen Beddis, AGA senior vice president of membership and events, said in a statement. “As a global leader in leisure travel and entertainment, they not only bring a unique perspective to our membership but also deepen our network through longstanding partnerships with several existing AGA members.” 

According to the AGA, Carnival will gain access to industry-exclusive data and resources, professional development programming, networking and collaboration opportunities, and the advocacy and policy support the AGA provides to across the gaming industry.

Casino Gaming Popular Across Cruise Industry 

While Carnival is the first cruise line to join the AGA, the trade organization could have more willing partners in the industry. Royal Caribbean also provides casino offerings on many cruises, as does Margaritaville at Sea, which launched a new casino loyalty program earlier this year. Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises are among the many other brands that also offer this service on at least some voyages. 

Casino cruises haven’t been without controversy, however. In 2024, P&O Cruises Australia became the subject of an investigation after a passenger fell overboard to his death after running up $9,000 in gambling debt. Other individuals alleged that the cruise didn’t offer casino self-exclusion and that they were targeted by predatory behavior.

Carnival has been leaning further into its casino offerings in 2025. In June, the company announced that beginning in August, it would start offering “SEA” sailings, which stands for Sailings Exclusively for Adults. These casino-themed voyages are planned to be invitation-only and would include expanded gaming hours. 

However, Carnival has pledged that these new trips won’t signal a move away from the company’s family-friendly brand.

“We are a proud family cruise line,” Carnival spokesperson John Heald said in a statement. “We have been, and I’m sure we always will be. This is because we moved the dry dock, and the casino has taken a couple of cruises and made them adults only.” 

Carnival currently operates a fleet of 29 ships, which is expected to expand to 32 ships by 2027.