I am frequently asked questions about tipping casino hosts. The how’s, when’s, where’s and how much’s in utilizing the services of a host is a very complex subject – it took me 32 pages to cover it in More Frugal Gambling – and tipping in any area is always a very personal decision and a subject that can generate very heated discussions. I give some tipping ideas and suggestions in the book that may help you make your own decisions and feel comfortable about them.
Here is my very personal take on the subject: Actually most casinos have rules about tipping and hosts. A few do not allow their hosts to accept tips at all. Many have a monetary limit. However, hosts all over the US mostly routinely “break the rules” in this area. In all our almost-30 years of gambling we have never had a host refuse a tip except one who said she was limited to $75 when we gave her $100. We solved that problem by Brad and I each giving her $50 separately. 🙂
Brad and I probably routinely “break the rules” because we don’t ask what the rules are. We just make friends with our hosts and give generous gifts
to them when they go out of their way to serve us. We are generous to everyone that way – especially Brad. When he is out of Vegas, he still wants to tip everyone who does anything for him. He loves to give money away!
The truth of the matter is that tips never “cost” us – we always get back much more than we give. Cast thy bread upon the waters…and you reap smiles, friendships…and yes sometimes even monetary benefits. We just can’t help that!!!! It is really hard to give more than you receive!
Brad is not crazy tipping goes a long way,not only Casino host. I have my regular local casino here in LV and I use valet parking. This is where the service starts for a casino for me. So after a short period of time living here I made sure at Christmas to bring them Valet’s a big box of Christmas cupcakes and when the weather gets hot I drop off a case of bottle water. Needless to say I get top class service from them they now all know me by name and I get my car right off and if I am visiting the casino after dark my car is parked in the front where they can keep a watchful eye on it. Sometimes a small thing goes a long way and I also get great tips from them on where the best places to play golf and etc.
I tip them with Starbucks gift cards. I get them all the time from work and since I don’t drink coffee or go to Starbucks anyway, this is a very inexpensive tip for me to give, but the host enjoys it.
I have done this type of tipping and it always works out to our benefit. Keep up the good work.
One tip my step-mother gave me years ago is when a new host (I mean new to you) is writing you up a coffee shop comp, ask them “what is the best thing to have for dessert”. Whatever it is (assuming it is not ice cream) order one to go and then give it to the host on the way out. My folks did not like sweets anyway, so it was a very cheap, but effective, investment.