Global Sports: tips at the casino, casino staff tips, when to tip, how to tip, casino tips

Monday, November 14, 2011

tips at the casino, casino staff tips, when to tip, how to tip, casino tips

By John Robbie


We know, the thought of giving money away when you've just won it is probably the last thing on your mind. Let's be honest: you're really at a disadvantage the minute you step on the casino floor, so why is there an unspoken imperative to give back when you've fought so hard to win in the first place.

The fact is: tipping is gratuitous in nature and not an imperative. It is a sign of gratitude, a way of supporting a certain economic democracy, sharing the love (and the wealth). By its nature, a tip is but a small fraction of the total win. Many blue-collar workers at the casino will often rely on tipping as a major, if not exclusive, form of income. They may be dressed in all the casino's fineries, but it's all farce: croupiers, valets, servers, they're not exactly on top of the economic termite mound. Remember, when you tip you're not giving money back to the house, you're giving it directly to the house's employees. There is a key distinction here. Alas, there are too many casinos that behave something like an old Scrooge - always eager to take your money, but never willing nor compelled to generously give back. It's one of the reasons why casinos like Golden Riviera makes a point of social investment: we like putting good money to good use.

Does this mean you're always compelled to tip? What if your table croupier has the personality of a card-carrying Mussolini? You tip at your discretion and never because you feel obligated. That being said, we hope you'll give credit where credit is due (and no, we're not talking about giving a line of credit... something casino's are far too eager to offer). If you've just landed a million-dollar jackpot, a five dollar tip might be taken as an insult. But on a ten-dollar win, five dollars could be taken to be a bit too generous, even strategically reckless.

So what's a "fair" guideline?

Waiters, waitresses and servers should always be tipped at a minimum of 10%. The only reason to withhold a tip when someone is bringing new food or drink is if the service is downright disdainful, obnoxious and patently offensive.

If you want to tip the dealer, do it by making a bet for him. Just be aware that if you make better for the dealer, and you've stated so, then even if the bet it does really well with a high return. It's no longer your money. Respect that boundary.

You don't need to tip the pit bosses. They are scary enough as it is. Plus they're probably earning a fair bit more than the floor-level employees.

Realise that it's not a two-way street: you can share your winnings, but the casino won't absorb any of your losses. Your tip is not compulsory: and while you may be feeling generous it's doubtful that the house will ever feel the same way.




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