104°F
weather icon Clear

Here’s how much you should tip casino workers

Casino employees had a feeling of dread when Formula One fans rolled into town in November.

That’s because most F1 fans are from Europe or Asia and Europeans and Asians typically are poor tippers.

It was the same kind of feeling most workers had for Comdex, a computer trade show that first came to Las Vegas in 1979 and grew to have a following of 215,000 attendees in its heyday in the 1990s. Comdex attendees also had a reputation for not tipping.

One of the reasons: Tipping is illegal or discouraged in many casinos outside of the United States and others don’t know how much to give for quality service.

Generally, tips — or “tokes,” as workers call them — go to bartenders, poker table staff, valets, chip runners, dealers at table games, slot machine attendants, cocktail waitstaff and pit managers.

But how much should you pay them?

Casino.org has posted a guide for tipping and it has recommendations for many circumstances:

Slots attendants. When a jackpot of $1,200 or more is won, slot machine attendants usually hand-pay the jackpot and provide IRS W-2G forms. Casino.org recommends a minimum of a $20 tip ranging up to 10 percent of the jackpot amount. So for a jackpot of $2,000, tip up to $200. Attendants also are asked to hold slot machines when a player goes to a restroom. For a delay of up to five minutes, consider up to a $5 tip.

Table game dealers. At blackjack, consider a few dollars for every blackjack you’re dealt or for winning several hands in a row. On higher-limit tables ($25 or more) offer $5 chips. At blackjack, players often offer up a wager for the dealer by placing an extra chip above the player’s bet. If you win, the dealer wins as well. For blackjack side bets that cash in, 3 percent to 10 percent of the winnings is appropriate.

Roulette dealers. Tell the dealer you want to make a wager for them and tell the dealer what it is before the spin. Players also commonly tip 5 percent of roulette winnings.

Craps dealers. Players most frequently tip after they’re done playing so they don’t slow the game down. But occasionally, you’ll hear players call out “$5 for me and a dollar for the dealer.” If the roll wins, the player is paid as well as the dealer.

Drink servers. The drink waitstaff is commonly tipped $1 or $2 per drink, regardless of whether it’s an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage.

Taxis and ride-shares. Casino.org recommends 10 percent of the fare as standard tip.

Casino restaurant servers. Tipping should be similar to those in conventional restaurants with the level of the tip commensurate with the level of service. Generally, servers are tipped between 10 percent and 25 percent of the bill.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.

THE LATEST
GALLERY: Helen Keller Days raises $2k for local Federation of the Blind Chapter

The 2nd Annual Helen Keller Days took place with members of the Southern Nye County Chapter of the Federation of the Blind coming together with community supporters for an afternoon of fun and excitement, all in the name of fundraising.

Bang for your buck: Where to buy fireworks

Nye County is known for its many fireworks stores that typically peak around the Fourth of July holiday. If you’re looking to stock up on fireworks check out these local retailers:

  • Alamo Fireworks Megastore, 5360 US-95, Amargosa Valley
  • Area 51 Fireworks, 1381 Highway 372
  • Blackjack Fireworks, 1181 S. Highway 160
  • Phantom Fireworks of Pahrump, 921 S. Highway 160, Suite 501
  • Red Apple Fireworks, 3640 S. Highway 160
  • Outlaw Pyro, 2280 W. Betty Ave.
GALLERY: How Pahrump marked Juneteenth

Several members of the community met at the Black Cow’s open-mic session on Wednesday evening, followed by a candlelight vigil at the corner of Highway 160 and Basin Avenue in the Petrack Park parking lot. Hymns and songs of freedom were sung by the group to mark Juneteenth in Pahrump for the fourth year since President Joe Biden signed the nation’s newest holiday into law in 2021.

95-year-old grand marshal shares the secret to his longevity

More than 40 friends and family celebrated Emil Janssen’s 95th birthday on Saturday, June 8 at the Pahrump Senior Center. The co-founder of Pahrump Family Mortuary will serve as grand marshal for this year’s Fourth of July parade in Pahrump, and says the secret to his longevity is simple.

Sportsman’s Quest: The Story Teller

The time of hunting and fishing conventions has come to an end and the hunting guides-outfitters have returned home to prepare for another season. I’m left with my head full of new stories and my sides still aching from laughing at the crazy tales and humorous, if sometimes dangerous, adventures we’ve shared at vendor booths, in the hallways, hotel rooms and yes, while sipping a beverage in the local “watering holes.”