Question of the Day - 11 August 2021

This is a frequently asked question that we answer from time to time -- for example, today. 

The following is an excerpt from Jean Scott's More Frugal Gambling (the most comprehensive book that Jean ever wrote; though it's a bit out of date with specific examples, the general concepts, as you'll see in this answer, are still overwhelmingly relevant. And it's on sale at the giveaway price of $6.99).

Many players develop such good relationships with their hosts that they want to give them tips or gifts. Some states have specific regulations that govern this and if there's a no-tip rule, it's strictly enforced by the casino. In Nevada, it's left to the casino to determine the tip/gift policies for hosts. 

At some casinos, hosts aren't allowed to take any gifts at all; it's a strict rule and hosts can be fired if they violate it. Other casinos forbid their hosts to take cash gifts, a policy that avoids the problem, at least partially, of hosts being bribed for comps. 

If a casino allows it, cash is the number-one gift of choice. I suggest you be classy about it; don't slap a bill in his or her hand. At least put it in an envelope, which you can always obtain at the front desk. Better is to include it in a thank-you card. 

Gift certificates are usually allowable, even if cash isn't. This is the number-two gift choice. A gift card to a fine local department store is most welcome, as hosts have to buy a lot of clothes to keep up a good appearance. But even a card to Walmart or Target will be welcome; hosts have everyday needs like the rest of us.

You might make an inexpensive bet at the sports book and give your host the ticket.

If you get to know your host real well and he or she has children or grandchildren, a gift for them, or the wife or husband, is often appropriate. 

If you receive a lot of comps for your play, sharing the surplus is a nice gesture. Perhaps you have a room comp you can't use and can give it to your host for an overnight getaway from home or a meal comp to a nice restaurant as a treat.

Of course, showing your appreciation, with a nice thank-you card or voice mail, or even a letter to the marketing supervisor or director, goes a long way.

Some things not to give a host: perfume, costume jewelry, clothing items, candy, knickknacks, and liquor (unless you know for sure it'll be appreciated). Of course, a host will always pretend to be grateful for any gift, but in my discussions with hosts on this subject, they usually say they're overwhelmed with these kinds of gifts and rarely keep them.

Thank you, Jean, as always.

In some of our previous answers to this question, we provided additional information that we revisit here. 

Caesars Entertainment, for example, has an official policy that hosts are not permitted to accept cash. Of course, cash makes the world go round and we know high rollers who toke hosts in cash and we know hosts who accept cash tokes, but it’s almost always done in private.

One high-roller friend told us, "I tip my hosts with money all over the place, albeit behind closed doors, and almost never have it refused."

When another hit a mid-six-figure jackpot, she tipped her host "huge" and said it was "expected."

Another said, "Only once did a host say she couldn’t take the $100 bill I gave her; she said the limit was $50. So I put $50 in an envelope and my wife put $50 in an envelope and gave them to her separately."

In the end, it's up to you how to approach this. We say offer your host an envelope in private and see what happens. If it's accepted, that's that. If not, then resort to Plan B and gift cards, a sports bet, comps, or gifts that will be kept.