Should I Tip My Casino Host? | Las Vegas Advisor

For a while my wife has had a host at Hard Rock Atlantic City. We met him once when they actually had a free event worth going to a while ago. This year, when she asked for a Friday and Saturday night, plus comped entertainment tickets, his reply was, “Fat chance.” A few weeks ago, a host from the Golden Nugget called her and introduced himself. She gets emails and mailers from Golden Nugget offering gift cards, comped rooms on weekends, some entertainment, etc. She asked me if she is expected to tip the host. From what we can tell, he’s doing what we could do on our own.

We've delved into this thorny thicket a few times over the years; it's asked fairly frequently. But this time, we figured we'd put it out to three of our most quotable casino consultants to see what they might have to say about it.

Dennis Conrad, long-time casino marketing executive, founder of casino-consulting company Raving, and columnist for CDC Gaming Reports, says, from his vast experience, “Casinos are all over the map on this one, usually allowing some limited tips and/or gifts. Tips put hosts in a conflict as to where their loyalties lie. Is it with the generous player (who is probably working an angle)? Or is it with casino management (which is probably underpaying its hosts, but doesn’t want them being bribed by the player while supposedly representing the casino’s interest)? Tough situation.

“I say pay the hosts like top executives,” concludes Conrad, putting the responsibility on management, “and give them the skills and training that allow them to have a real career with measurable goals and not have to pass the tin cup around to players to make a living wage.”

Jean Scott, the Queen of Comps, agrees with Conrad that this is “a very complex question. It varies so much in the various casinos.”

Hopefully, you have some of Jean’s books at hand, because she’s going to give you a little homework. “Starting on page 310 in More Frugal Gambling, I spend six pages discussing this issue. The short answer is that hosts are often not allowed to take tips and if they are, there are monetary limits. You just have to ask someone about the particular property’s policy. That said, we used to ‘bribe’ (discreetly) hosts all the time and very few refused, even if a no-tipping policy was in place.”

Her advice in a nutshell? “It never hurts to offer. Just don't be insulted if it's turned down.”

A more categorical approach to the issue is offered by Vital Vegas blogger Scott Roeben, who says that tipping might be allowed, but like Conrad and Scott, admits that it varies from casino to casino.

“Often, casino hosts can’t take cash, so that means getting creative with how to tip,” he elaborates.

One of the best ways is gift cards. Guests often ask their host about their favorite restaurant, then get gift cards specific to their host. Players often develop friendships with their hosts and get to know what the host likes, so they can show appreciation accordingly. Of course, hosts are careful not to run afoul of their casino’s policies.

“They can sometimes accept envelopes, and those envelopes sometimes contain cash. Opening the envelope outside the casino seems a way to bypass the rules. It’s best to ask and respect the wishes of your host. They're the conduit to a cavalcade of wonderful perks and they appreciate being appreciated.”

So the consensus is, yes, tip when appropriate (such as when the host has actually made a difference for you), but be creative.

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Comments

Kevin Lewis Aug-28-2022

Definition

Can oral sex be considered a "tip"? Asking for a friend.

VegasVic Aug-28-2022

Roeben

He's a paid shill.

O2bnVegas Aug-28-2022

my advice

Hosts have nothing to do with the mailers and "what you can do on your own."  Those come from what you are playing, from "marketing."  

Once you tip you've set a precedent with that Host.  Unless the Host goes above and beyond, like WAY above and beyond, I'd not start the practice.  And really, the only thing that impresses a Host (unless you can treat them to a sky box at a Super Bowl or something like that), is cash.

Then again, if it makes you feel good, do what you want!  Just be discrete.  

Candy

tikithecat Aug-28-2022

Host Tips

I've been giving Amazon gift cards. There is no surcharge, like Visa gift cards.

Ray Aug-28-2022

What was the question?

So, the question wasn't "am I allowed to tip a host?" but "Should I tip them if I could have gotten the same deal on my own?". I guess my approach would be to tell them you can do just as well on your own, and ask if they do any better. If they increase the value of your offer, then tip (or try to tip) accordingly, based on the increased value of your new offer.

O2bnVegas Aug-28-2022

Geez, Ray

Ray suggested discussing this with a Host, which is something I could not/would not do.  Embarrassing to both of you.

O2bnVegas Aug-28-2022

on the other hand

Read "Whale Hunt in the Desert", which describes negotiations (so to speak) between huge players and Hosts.  Whale is offered something in the upper five-six figures (as opposed to our $100) to come in, maybe even the sky box seats.  But his play is watched, and he'd better be putting that five-six figures at risk (gambled) or never get another offer.  Years have passed since that book came out, so things may be different.

You did what the 'average' player can do, asked your AC host to comp something.  His reply, "fat chance"...translates to "you don't play high enough," as of course he most definitely could comp somebody higher on the food chain.  He just wasn't going to embarrass you (or himself) by saying so.  "Fat chance" was his out...suggesting there was not a seat left.  They always have seats for last minute big players.

Crappy reply, though.  No tip for him ever!

Roy Furukawa Aug-28-2022

Tipping

Asking never hurts, at least you know what they are expecting. You develop a relationship with hosts and the better they are, the easier it is to tip them. I know some hosts do little and act like your best friend and then have their hand out at the end of your trip. Those people make it easy to drop the property from your visit list or perhaps even using that host for your stays.

Gregory Aug-28-2022

First

Quit picking on Scott.  We need people like this who spill dirt.  Second, my host does nothing out the ordinary for me.  I don't ask for anything above and beyond, and therefore I do not tip.  I know there are many who like to work the system and get extras, that's fine.  Then tipping might be appropriate.

rokgpsman Aug-28-2022

I'm a cynic on this

Be honest with yourself about this-
Let's say you play slots or whatever in the casino at a level to get free rooms, limo service, comps at restaurants and events. Then you tip your host. Wake up! You've paid for all the freebies you proudly say you were given for free. Casinos don't give anything away, they cultivate relationships with gamblers and entice them with comps so the gambling will continue. When you receive a comp your play has or will soon pay for it. Slots have a strong casino edge, your play will result in you losing money overall, and that's your payment for the comps you get. The apparent value of the comp is much higher than the actual cost to the casino, the casino comes out ahead. Enjoy your time at the casino, but be honest with yourself about the freebies - they aren't free.

Doozey Sep-01-2022

a relationship

I've been Seven Star level at Caesars properties for several years> They used to advertise choice of any available type of room at check in. I asked at the Seven Star registration office--fancy? meh--if I could get a suite. The clerk shouted across the room to one of the people at a desk if I qualified for a suite. She shouted back "No". Classy. On the other hand I was once told I was the least obnoxious Seven Star member. Faint praise.

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