If you have spent any amount of time in cruise Facebook groups or roll calls, you have almost certainly seen someone organizing a slot pull. For years, slot pulls have been one of those unofficial cruise traditions that exist in a gray area between casino fun and an organized group activity.
A slot pull is pretty straightforward. A group of cruisers agree to pool their money, meet at a set time in the casino, and play a slot machine together. Everyone chips in an equal amount, the machine gets spun until the bankroll runs dry, and any winnings are split evenly among the participants. For many cruisers, the appeal is not just gambling. It is the social aspect, the excitement, and the chance to play with a larger pot without personally risking a lot of money.
On Carnival ships, slot pulls became especially popular because they were easy to organize and often felt harmless. Someone would organize, collect money from interested participants, pick a time and a machine, and the group would meet up and play. Simple enough.
Traditionally, the organizer would insert their Sail and Sign card into the machine for the duration of the pull. That meant all casino points earned during the slot pull were credited to that one person. In most cases, the points earned from a short pull were minimal. Still, over time, some guests began voicing concerns. Even if the points were small, it did not sit well with everyone that one person was earning all the casino credit from a group-funded activity.
Those concerns eventually caught Carnival’s attention.
Carnival’s New Rules for Slot Pulls (January 2026)
On January 6, 2026, Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, discussed slot pulls in a Facebook video, addressing some of the confusion and frustration surrounding them. Simply put, slot pulls are now on Carnival’s radar and the line has rolled out new rules for these pulls that are effective immediately:
- Organizers do not and will not receive casino play points for slot pulls. This has technically always been the rule, as points are meant to be awarded only for personal play. The difference now is enforcement.
- All private tournaments, including organized slot pulls, must be approved by a Casino Host. This has also been on the books for a while, but Carnival is paying closer attention and taking it more seriously.
The big change here is not so much a brand-new rule, but Carnival actively enforcing rules that were often overlooked in the past.
What Happens If You Run an Unapproved Slot Pull
This is where things get more serious than many cruisers realize.
If a slot pull is organized without approval and casino staff notice, any casino points earned during the pull can be revoked. In addition, Carnival may remove any player status or casino offers earned for the remainder of the cruise. The assumption from the casino side is that at least some portion of that status or those offers may have been earned improperly.
In other words, this is no longer a slap-on-the-wrist situation. Running an unapproved slot pull could impact your casino perks for the rest of the sailing, and maybe even beyond.
Are Slot Pulls Banned on Carnival Cruise Line?
No. Slot pulls are not banned. Carnival is not trying to eliminate them. What Carnival is doing is tightening control, making sure casino play is tracked properly, and preventing situations where one person appears to benefit from group-funded gambling.
For cruisers who enjoy slot pulls for the social aspect, they can still be a fun way to meet people and enjoy the casino together. The key now is making sure everything is done above board.
Want to Join a Slot Pull? Read this First!
✔ Make sure the slot pull has casino approval.
Approved pulls should be coordinated through a Casino Host. If approval is vague or missing, that is a red flag.
✔ Do not hand over money until approval is confirmed.
If the organizer cannot confirm casino approval, keep your wallet closed.
✔ Understand that no one earns points from a pull.
Slot pulls are about fun and shared play, not earning casino status.
✔ Avoid anything that feels “off the books.”
If a pull is being rushed, hidden, or moved around the casino to avoid attention, skip it.
✔ Remember that your casino offers are on the line.
Participating in or organizing an unapproved pull could impact your casino status for the rest of the cruise.
Slot pulls can still be a fun part of the cruise casino experience, but like many things at sea, the rules matter more than people think. A little caution now can save a lot of frustration later, especially if casino offers and status are important to you.