Cruise Ship Casinos from Australia: Pokies, Jackpots and the Rules at Sea (2026)

Yes, most big cruise ships sailing from Australia have a cruise ship casino, with pokies (slot machines), progressive jackpots and tables such as blackjack and roulette. The casino usually only opens once the ship is out in open water, well away from the coast and ports, and on most lines you need to be 18 or older to play. Below we cover which lines sailing from Sydney, Brisbane and other Australian ports have casinos in the 2026-27 season, how the rules at sea work, and how to keep your gambling in check.

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A quick note: this is a guide to the casinos you will find on board ships. We do not promote or link to online casinos, and nothing here is betting advice. Treat the casino as paid entertainment, not as a way to make money.

Which Cruise Lines from Australia Have Casinos?

The mainstream lines that homeport ships in Australia all run casinos on their larger ships. Deployments change each season, so check the ship you are booking, but for the 2026-27 season the picture looks like this:

Carnival casinos after the P&O Australia merger

P&O Cruises Australia was folded into Carnival Cruise Line in March 2025. Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter were rebranded as Carnival Adventure (Sydney) and Carnival Encounter (Brisbane), and Pacific Explorer was retired. If you used to play on a P&O ship, the casino now runs under Carnival’s brand and the Carnival Players Club. Carnival has also announced that Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Adventure will leave Australia in March 2028, leaving Carnival Splendor and Carnival Encounter sailing year-round. For more on the wider fleet, see our list of the newest Carnival ships in order.

Royal Caribbean casinos from Sydney and Brisbane

Anthem of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas are Quantum-class ships, and both have a full Casino Royale with slots and table games. Royal Caribbean also runs slot and poker tournaments on many sailings. If you are choosing between ships, our guide to Anthem of the Seas vs Spectrum of the Seas covers how the Quantum-class layout works, and the Royal Caribbean ship classes comparison shows where each class sits.

What Games Can You Play in a Cruise Ship Casino?

A cruise ship casino is smaller than Crown or The Star, but the mix of games will feel familiar to anyone who has visited a land-based casino in Australia.

• Pokies (slot machines): These take up most of the floor. You will usually find penny and low-denomination machines, video poker, and popular themed games.
• Progressive jackpots: Some machines are linked so the jackpot grows as people play. On some lines the jackpot is linked across machines on one ship and on others across several ships, so it can climb higher than a single machine’s prize. The odds of hitting a top progressive jackpot are very low.
• Blackjack: The most common table game at sea, often with side bets.
• Roulette: Usually one or two tables, depending on the ship.
• Poker: Table-based games such as Three Card Poker or Ultimate Texas Hold’em are common. A dedicated poker room is less common, but tournaments run on some ships.
• Craps and baccarat: Found on some larger ships, not all.
• Bingo and tournaments: Bingo is often run by the entertainment team, not the casino, and slot or blackjack tournaments usually have a buy-in.

Table minimums at sea are generally modest compared with big land-based casinos, but they vary by ship, time of night and how busy the casino is. Expect fewer tables than on land, especially on smaller ships.

When Do Cruise Casinos Open? The Rules at Sea

The biggest difference from a casino on land is that cruise ship casinos follow the ship’s position, not the clock.

Closed in port and near the coast

Casinos almost always close while the ship is in port and while it is sailing close to the coast. In Australia, gaming rules are set by each state and territory, so the details vary. Western Australia’s published policy, for example, only allows casino gaming on cruise ships more than 12 nautical miles offshore, and not within 12 nautical miles of the port where the ship is due to berth or anchor. Expect the casino to open some time after you leave port and to close well before you arrive.

Domestic and short coastal cruises

On short getaways and coastal cruises, such as two to four night trips from Sydney or Brisbane, Tasmania sailings or Queensland coastal itineraries, much of the time can be spent in coastal waters. That means the casino may only open for limited hours, or in some cases very little. If the casino matters to you, a South Pacific or New Zealand itinerary with several full sea days will give you far more opening hours than a short coastal trip.

Check the daily planner

Opening times are announced on board, usually in the cruise line’s app or daily planner. Once at sea, casinos often stay open late into the night. On some ships they close during parts of the day or open only the pokies first.

Minimum Gambling Age on Cruises from Australia

On the main lines sailing from Australia, the minimum casino age is typically 18:

• Carnival: The Carnival Players Club is listed for guests aged 18 and over.
• Royal Caribbean: Its international age policy sets the casino age at 18. The 21+ exception it lists is for Alaska sailings, not Australia.
• Princess: Princess publishes an 18+ casino age for its US-based ships and requires valid photo ID to verify age. Its age page does not set a separate rule for Australia-based ships, so check with Princess when you book.

Rules can differ by itinerary and can change, so confirm with your cruise line before you sail. Casino staff may ask for ID, and you may not be allowed to “help” a younger family member play at the machines.

Cash, Cards and Cruise Accounts

Most cruise casinos let you play through your onboard account, the same card or app you use for drinks and shopping. In general:

1. Pokies are usually loaded from your cruise card. Some still take cash.
2. Table chips can be bought with cash or charged to your cabin account at the table or cashier.
3. Casino charges to your account may attract a service or cash-advance style fee on some lines. Check the fine print before you charge large amounts.
4. Currency varies. Ships sailing from Australia usually run in Australian dollars, but some international lines use US dollars on board. Check which applies to your ship.
5. Winnings are normally paid at the casino cashier or credited to your onboard account. Ask how a credit balance is refunded at the end of the cruise.

One useful tip that many guides skip: set a hard spending limit on your onboard account before the cruise starts, or decide on a fixed amount of cash for the casino and leave the card in your cabin. Charging casino play to the same account as everything else makes it very easy to lose track until the final bill arrives.

How Cruise Casino Players Clubs Work

Most big-ship casinos run a loyalty programme that is separate from the cruise line’s general past-guest programme:

• Carnival Players Club: Free to join for guests 18+. You earn points as you play onboard games, and you sign up with the Players Club host once on board.
• Royal Caribbean Club Royale: Tracks your play across sailings and can lead to cruise offers.
• Celebrity Blue Chip Club: Celebrity’s equivalent, which also offers casino-based cruise offers.

Points are earned on the amount you bet, not on what you win or lose. Rewards can include drinks while you play, discounts or casino cruise offers on future sailings. Offers often still involve taxes, fees, gratuities or a single supplement, so read the terms. Do not gamble more than you planned just to chase a tier or a “free” cruise: the cruise is rarely free once your losses are counted.

Responsible Gambling at Sea

Being on holiday, away from your usual routine and with drinks close at hand, can make it easier to spend more than you meant to. A few simple habits help:

• Set a budget for the whole cruise and treat it as spent, like a show ticket.
• Decide on a time limit before you sit down at the pokies.
• Never chase losses or borrow money to keep playing.
• Take breaks, eat properly and keep an eye on how much you are drinking.
• Remember the house always has an edge. Progressive jackpots look exciting, but the chance of a big win is very small.

If gambling is causing problems for you or someone close to you, free and confidential help is available in Australia:

• National Gambling Helpline: 1800 858 858, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Gambling Help Online (gamblinghelponline.org.au): free online counselling, live chat and email support.
• Financial counselling: available if gambling has left you struggling with bills or debts.

You can also ask the casino staff about setting limits or excluding yourself from the casino for the rest of the cruise.

Is a Casino Worth Choosing a Cruise For?

For most people sailing from Australia, the casino is one small part of the cruise, alongside the shows, pools, bars and ports. If you enjoy a flutter, pick an itinerary with several sea days, compare the ship’s casino size, and join the free players club so your play is tracked. If you would rather avoid the casino, it is easy to skip, and on lines like Celebrity and Cunard casinos are non-smoking, which many guests prefer even when walking past. For ideas on upcoming sailings, have a look at our cruise deals for 2027.

FAQs

Can you gamble at 18 on a cruise from Australia?

Usually yes. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Princess generally set the casino age at 18, and you may need photo ID. Check your line’s current policy before you sail, as rules can vary by itinerary.

Are cruise ship casinos open in port?

Generally no. Casinos close while the ship is in port and when it is close to the coast, and open once the ship is far enough offshore, often beyond 12 nautical miles. Opening times are listed in the daily planner or app.

Do Carnival cruises from Australia have pokies?

Yes. Carnival’s Australian ships, including the former P&O ships Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter, have casinos with pokies and table games, and you can join the free Carnival Players Club once on board.

Can you use cash in a cruise ship casino?

Most cruise casinos accept both cash and your cruise card. Pokies are usually loaded from your onboard account, while table chips can be bought with cash or charged to your cabin. Some lines add a fee for casino charges.

What happens if you win a big jackpot on a cruise?

Winnings are paid by the casino cashier or credited to your onboard account, and large wins may need ID and paperwork. Tax rules depend on your circumstances, so get personal advice if you win a significant amount.