Lawsuits, Social Media Outrage and the US Casino Tipping Culture

A story about a couple who hit a $10 million jackpot on a slot machine a few weeks ago has circulated on the internet, but for all the wrong reasons. Gamers and insiders have taken umbrage when it was revealed that the older couple did not leave a tip when they hit the jackpot, not even leaving the $4 left on the slot machine. Another news story that hit the headlines in Atlantic City, about a dealer taking Ocean Resort to the courts for their tip pooling system, have suddenly cast a light on a lesser known aspect of casino gaming in the US. The tipping culture.

Sure, America has a pretty infamous reputation for its aggressive tipping culture, or the consequences for not complying with these unwritten laws. It is seen as a gratuity that makes up a big part of their income, and while it is not written in the terms and conditions when you become a member of a casino, nor is it engraved in the golden entry placards or decor – but US dealers expect you to tip them when you win. To some, not tipping a dealer is a mark of selfishness or a cheapskate who doesn’t understand or appreciate the system. For others, it is the casino’s fault for not paying their workers better or integrating service charges to not leave this pressure on the customer.

These two stories give two very different angles to America’s casino tipping culture, both of which paint a pretty interesting story of how it works – and what you should know before you hit a landbased US casino.

$10 Million Jackpot with $0 Tip

The couple from Iowa played the IGT Megabucks jackpot slot at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. They hit a jackpot of $10,486,432 from a $5 bet at the slot machine, which is a considerably large figure. 6-figure jackpots are pretty regular, but 7-figure jackpots like this one only happen a few times per year, even at the biggest Vegas Strip casinos. But it is still not really enough to make news. What came next though, that was suddenly considered newsworthy.

The couple cashed out the jackpot, and wiped the $4 still remaining on the slot machine, headed to the cashier, and pocketed their winnings. All without leaving a tip for the dealers. The reason being the couple was allegedly pissed off with all the additional resort and parking fees, deciding that they would take their earned winnings and head home.

Ocean Resorts Sued Over Tip Pooling System

A few weeks later, the Ocean Casino Resort was taken to court by a former dealer who wanted to sue their tip-pooling practices. The casino was accused of shifting labor costs onto dealers, with a mandatory tip pool where they can only earn when they are actively standing behind tables. The casino dealers have to work 60 minutes at tables with 20 minute paid rests to cut up the shifts. During that rest time, they are still on the clock and getting paid, but they aren’t allowed to receive tips.

Lydia Colon, who launched the suit, claimed that this structure effectively blocks dealers from earning for a quarter of their paid time. In New Jersey, corporate law states that companies can only use tips to help pay workers if most of their job generates tips. If more than 20% of their time is spent elsewhere, the company should pay full wages instead. Also, these tips should belong to the workers, and not to the businesses.

Dealers are not allowed to keep direct tips, but have to submit them to tip pools. It has also been claimed that these tips may be abused by casino operators, using portions to cover administrative functions tied to managing the tips, and not distributing all the tips to the dealers as they should. The plaintiff is seeking over $5 million in damages, but what is more consequential is how this may shake the Atlantic City casino dealer tipping systems.

Are You Supposed to Tip at Casinos

In United States landbased casinos, yes, you are expected to tip. There is an expectation for you to make small gratuities at gaming tables, especially if there is a croupier or dealer present. Like when you are playing blackjack, casino poker, craps, baccarat or even roulette. If you win big, then don’t be surprised if the dealer tries to make eye contact, perhaps shuffling the deck for the next round a little slower. It is not like they are forcing you to pay, it is just the custom – or better – the culture.

However, not to discriminate at all, the dealers are not the only members of staff you are likely to encounter at a commercial casino. There are also the cocktail servers who bring you fresh drinks or finger food, the slot attendants who are on hand to help, and even the support staff at the cashiers who you go to after hitting a jackpot – they will find the best suitable way to transfer or hand over the larger cash sums.

If you are going to tip each of these support reps, and bear in mind state and Federal taxes that you must pay on any winnings, you are looking at a significant chunk of your winnings suddenly disappearing.

How Much to Tip Dealers

There is no standard rate or fixed minimum when it comes to tipping, this is really left on you. When you go to a restaurant, and the common tip for standard service is 15%-20%, and over 20% is for excellent service, no one tells you how much is customary to pay from your gambling winnings.

So we can’t really give you a concrete figure or number. But what we can do is tell you when the tips are expected.

You can leave a tip when:

• Winning a massive jackpot
• During a winning streak at table games
• When a dealer is giving exceptional service
• After receiving assistance or service from staff
• After long gaming sessions
• If there is some extra change with a big win

That couple from Iowa complained about the additional fees at Mandalay Bay, and how these put them off to such an extent where they wouldn’t even part with the $4 left on the IGT gaming machine. As preposterous as that may sound, let’s imagine how that may have looked, making a hypothetical scenario with every possible tip or surcharge imaginable.

Casino Resort Fees and Overdone Tips

You arrive at the casino resort by car, free parking is gradually a thing of the past so make sure you’ve got a good $20 to $30 for parking. It is a packed day, and (bearing in mind the reports did say an older couple), you don’t want to pack way at the back and have to walk through the Nevada summer heat to reach the casino. So you get a valet. That may add on a good $20 to $45, and don’t forget to leave a $5 to $10 tip for good service.

If you’re staying at the hotel, parking may be included, but valet service could be an extra add on. Staying guests need to pay (at most Vegas resorts) an extra Resort Fee – which you have to shell out for before check-in or right after check-out. It is not included in your hotel stay, and can cost between $35 to $60 per night.

Right, then onto the casino, if you want to get a drink to refresh yourself, you are expected to leave anywhere between $1 to $5 per drink. Heading across the casino floor to the games, if you want to withdraw money from an ATM then expect some fees there too, either fixed rate, as a percentage of the amount you withdraw, or a fixed minimum with a percentaged extra.

This all adds up and can easily frustrate anyone who isn’t used to having to fork out loose change continuously. When you finally sit down to start playing, and especially if it is at a slot machine with no croupier, tipping may be the furthest thing from your mind.

Tipping Superstitions

Of course, some don’t just see tipping as a social obligation, but very much related to good fortune and luck. You create the energy around yourself, creating positivity, which may attract the forces of good and Lady Luck to come your way.

Of course, it has no bearing in reality and is just a gambler’s superstition. Which doesn’t really matter to who is on the receiving end, but if you do make a generous tip and then hit a jackpot, you won’t be ruing that act of generosity.

USA vs the Rest of the World

Tipping in casinos is not something that is exclusively a US thing, it is practised in casinos all over the world. But not to the same extent. In European countries you can tip your dealers or croupiers, but there is less expectation and certainly no peer pressure to contribute. For example, in German casinos, Swiss casinos, and French casinos, the tipping cultures are not very prominent. Dealers have salary structures that don’t make them as reliant on gratuities from customers, and this creates a more relaxed environment for all involved.

Head over to Japan, which is currently building its first mega casino resort, MGM Osaka, and the situation couldn’t be more the opposite. Japan has a very strong anti-tipping culture, where tipping is uncomfortable and service workers will turn these down. In the Macau Casinos, which are mostly visited by Asian tourists, tipping does exist but it is a lot less prominent. These casinos typically focus more on junkets and casino hosts rather than dealer gratuities.

Singapore, which has two massive casinos, has a tipping culture too, but this is intentionally limited. The staff gets paid well, and the environment is less like Vegas.

How This Changes the Experience for Players

So at the end of the day, tipping is something you should definitely be aware of at US commercial casinos. If you win big at a slot machine or play at gaming tables with dealers, be prepared to leave a few gaming chips for the dealers. You are not forced to do so, but if you play pocket a big win, then rounding down and leaving the surplus for the dealers would be highly appreciated.

Travel to any European casinos or even down South to Latin American Casinos, and the expectations cool off. You aren’t expected to tip as much at these casinos as US ones. But head North to Canada, and the Canadian casinos have similar cultural expectations to the US ones. If you ever travel as far as Macau, Singapore, Japan, or other Asian country landbased casinos, then the tipping culture suddenly evaporates and there is practically no expectation for you to donate your change to the dealers.