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Discover if your cruise onboard credit (OBC) is valid for casino play. Learn the rules, restrictions, and how to use your funds for slots and table games. Using Onboard Cruise Credit for Casino Play and Gaming Stakes You can directly apply your shipboard spending allowance to slot machines on most major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean and Carnival. To do this, simply insert your stateroom keycard into the machine, enter your personal identification number, and select the amount you wish to transfer from your ship account to the game. For table games, present your keycard to the dealer; they will exchange a portion of your spending money for gaming chips. Be aware that most lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, levy a convenience fee, typically ranging from 3% to 5%, on all transactions involving the transfer of shipboard funds for gambling purposes. It is important to differentiate between refundable and non-refundable shipboard allowances. A non-refundable allowance, often provided as a booking incentive, is designated as "promotional" and is almost universally accepted for direct play in the gaming area. Conversely, a refundable allowance, which represents money you personally added to your account, may have restrictions. For instance, Princess Cruises might not permit refundable amounts to be converted directly into gaming chips or slot play to prevent cash-out schemes. Always verify the type of your shipboard money by checking your stateroom folio or inquiring at Guest Services. Some cruise lines, like Celebrity Cruises, offer specific "for gaming only" promotional funds. This type of allowance is exclusively for wagering and cannot be applied to other shipboard purchases such as drinks or souvenirs. This specific funding is automatically available on your keycard when you enter the gaming establishment. You cannot convert this particular promotional money to cash; any winnings generated from it are, however, fully cashable. Reviewing the terms of your booking confirmation will clarify if your spending money falls into this specific category. Can Onboard Credit Be Used in the Casino? Shipboard spending allowances from non-refundable promotions are generally not redeemable for cash chips or slot machine play. Instead, you must first convert these promotional funds into playable value at the gaming establishment's cashier cage or a slot machine. For instance, you might transfer $100 from your ship account to a slot machine, but only a portion, such as $95, becomes playable funds after a 5% house fee is deducted. Some cruise lines, like Norwegian Cruise Line, specifically prohibit using their promotional shipboard spending for any gaming activities. Refundable shipboard allowances, which represent your own deposited money, typically face fewer restrictions. These funds can often be withdrawn as cash at the player's bank, although a service charge, usually between 3% and 5%, is common. This makes it a less economical way to get cash compared to an ATM. A more direct method is to load these personal funds directly onto a slot machine or purchase chips at a table. This action directly debits your stateroom account without the need for an intermediary transaction at the cage. Specific policies vary significantly between cruise lines: Royal Caribbean: Promotional funds are not directly applicable for chips. You must visit the cashier to apply your spending allowance, where it's subject to a 5% administrative fee. You can, however, charge your gaming directly to your SeaPass account. Carnival Cruise Line: You may apply your Sail & Sign account balance to slot machines or table games. A small convenience fee applies when accessing funds this way. Promotional allowances often carry restrictions against direct gaming