Logout

Question of the Day - 01 August 2025

Q:

If you have never gambled at a casino before, is it possible to get a room comped based opening a large enough line of credit. I want to stay at the Venetian, so I know they would want a pretty big amount, but approximately how much play would they want to see for a 3-night stay for a slot player? Would they want to check into my play or my current offers at other casinos? How exactly would it work if they actually would do something like this? Also, in general what is the average minimum amount a mid (Golden Nugget) to lower (El Cortez) casino would approve if someone didn't want to not carry cash with them to Vegas and would want to open a line of credit?

A:

A line of credit can be a good initial talking point with a casino host and might get his or her attention, but any comps you earn will be based on how much of that credit line you actually gamble and how much time you spend at the table. It's a lot like buying in for a large amount, thinking you'll get more points. Unless you put all that money into action, you won't. Points and comps are based on the money played, not the credit line or buy-in.  

For instance, if you tell the host you want to open up a $100,000 credit line, that will likely get them to tentatively agree to comp your stay. However, when you get there, sit down at a blackjack table, take a $500 marker, and bet $25 a hand, they'll likely cancel that agreement and you'll end up paying. At $25 a hand on a $100K line, that's 4,000 bets. Sure, your wagers will go up and down, but on average at 60 hands per hour, it would take you nearly 70 hours to play through you credit line -- tough to do over a weekend. A host at the Venetian will expect your average bet to be $2,500, 10 times as much. Playing way below your credit line could also result in a reduction or complete cancellation of your line. Credit departments don't like having unused or underused credit lines on their books. 

Depending on the size of the line, they may look into your credit at other casinos as well. For larger credit lines, part of the process will be to make sure that you not only have the money available you're asking for, but that you can't overextend your ability to pay it down, due to losses against lines at other casinos. The credit department can see what other casinos you have a line with, how much it is, and if it's in good standing. They might not do this for every single application, but they can, via your Central Credit file.

Regarding the minimum amount for a credit line, credit lines can go as low as $500 at some smaller casinos, though it's generally at least $1,000 these days. Strip casinos have a higher minimum, maybe as high as $5,000.

It's important to remember, though, that the credit line isn't a tool to get more points and comps. Rather, it's an initial talking point to let the host know what sort of money you're ready and willing to put into action, so keep that in mind when you apply for credit. 

 

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Have a question that hasn't been answered? Email us with your suggestion.

Missed a Question of the Day?
OR
Have a Question?
Tomorrow's Question
Where did casino shills work in the '70s and '80s and how much did they earn?

Comments

Log In to rate or comment.
  • O2bnVegas Aug-01-2025
    Why bother?
    For the originator of the question:  You indicated you are a "slot player", which the answer didn't specifically address.  Just give them some slot play while in town, having signed up for the players club and using the card.  Room comps will come in snail mail/email.
    
    Table play is another story, as described in the LVA answer.  I once played slots minimally at Venetian, "courtesy play", casinos' language for dropping in, not staying there.  I received free room offers for years.
    
    Good luck.
    
    Candy

  • VegasVic Aug-01-2025
    LOC
    As the "why bother", the OP didn't specify how much he would be seeking.  Many are uncomfortable carrying much cash.  Sure, don't bother with a  $1,000 LOC but if it's more it may make someone more comfortable to have a LOC they can tap when needed. 

  • Dawn Aug-01-2025
    DJ
    I am a quarter video poker player ($1.25/spin). Playing 6 days, about 3 - 4 hours/day (400 hands/hour), I generally put through around $20 - $25K in a trip. That gets me 3 nights comp'd at The D off the bat, and usually 2 - 3 nights when I see the host at the end of my trip. 

  • Carey Rohrig Aug-01-2025
    Why
    At the end of the day pay for the three nights you will be better off 

  • Randall Ward Aug-01-2025
    credit and markers
    better do your research, a certain former NBA player turned TV analyst found out about markers this week. 

  • sunny78 Aug-01-2025
    nah
    I'm with the just pay for the room team, seems silly on many levels. Another option is get a credit card that earns hotel points for free rooms with everyday spending. Just pay your bill off in full every month so you don't pay interest type approach. These cards often have great bonus offers to open them up.

  • Glenn Leonberger Aug-01-2025
    Are Comps Worth it - Depends on your view
    First - I am adding this as 3 entries because keystroke limits
    
    Also, I highly recommend reading Comp City by Max Rubin (available through Huntington Press 😊).  Though 30+ years old, it sets a great foundation for understanding the comp process.
    
    As for comps, I used to think getting them was based on previous play but about 15 years ago I was on a Vegas guys trip where we played a fair amount of craps as a group, all using my player’s card.  I thought I’d “save up” my comps for when I took my wife, so I stopped in and talked to a Bellagio host.  He looked at my play and said he’d comp the room on my next trip but there was no need to just save for her trip, and he comped numerous meals with the guys (we were staying at Bally’s).  
    

  • Glenn Leonberger Aug-01-2025
    Are Comps Worth it # 2
    I stopped at the beginning of the next trip to talk to the host, and he explained that he was already good for the room & meals on that trip based on how much I played previously and how few comps I’d used.  He also said I needed to average 4 hours / day at $180 to get future similar comps.  My style of play was to open with $110 and then add chips and spread them around as I won.  Sometimes I had well over $1,000 spread around the table and that increased the average significantly.  I knew I had to get in 12 hours of play of the 4 days / 3 nights and easily hit that number.  On that trip I ended down about $400 in craps but the room & meals would have been over $2,000 even without any gambling so in my mind I was way ahead.  Add to that the fact that we got treated way better when comped than when we paid at both the hotel and the restaurants.

  • Glenn Leonberger Aug-01-2025
    Are Comps Worth it # 3
    Over the next 10 years I went there 1-2 times / years and in all those trips there was only one time where I lost a fair amount more than the total of the room,  meals & gambling budget.  Most times I ended up close to the number but with better treatment and several times I lost much less than that total.  Once I even ended ahead over $4,000 plus my fountain facing room on a holiday weekend and meals which were worth close to another $4,000.  I also used the relationship to get show tickets several time and while I paid for the shows, they were always discounted and better seats than I could have gotten on my own - once I sat next to Senator John McCain at O and another time a limo took us to front row seats for Danny Gans.
    
    All in all, during that period I spent more than I won but when you figure in the dozens of room nights & meals plus limos and outstanding service for being “a player,” it was very much worth it.
    

  • Crazy Aug-03-2025
    Math error
    I think you meant Venetian expected $250 per hand, not $2500..
    10 X$25= $250, not $2500