As far as the beverage itself is concerned, we consulted with Southern Nevada Health District spokeswoman Stephanie Bethel, who responds that, by statute, "A beverage meant for a client who is no longer at the slot bank should be discarded." In addition, "All bartenders and servers are required to obtain a Food Handler Safety Training card from the health district to ensure they use safe food handling practices." Or as MGM Resorts International’s Yvette Monet puts it bluntly, "If it [a beverage, e.g., a beer] is open or a mixed cocktail, they are thrown out." A veteran former bartender on LVA's staff confirms that it's always been the policy everywhere she's worked -- no "re-gifting" of drinks!
As to the implications of a patron requesting a comped drink that they don't tip for, we quote an earlier Question of the Day response contributed by long-time Strip bartender/aficiondo, "Cocktail Doll," who explained:
Each waitress is allocated a different [hypothetical tip-allocation] amount depending on her shift and station. For example, a swing shift pit would be different than grave-shift slots, or day-shift pool, etc. And every casino has different allocations, so there's no set amount/rate.
But does the waitress end up paying for the free drinks she serves if a customer leaves or doesn't tip? Possibly. If she doesn't make in real tips what she is allocated in the hypothetical model devised by the powers that be, then yes, for sure, she will be taxed on money she didn't make. That's on top of the wasted drink and wasted time and effort, of course.
The concluding installment of the Maxim trilogy will run tomorrow!"
