The flashing lights and ringing bells of a casino can be incredibly distracting, making it easy to forget the human element of the floor.

Knowing who to tip, when to tip, and exactly how much to tip is a crucial part of proper casino etiquette.

How and When to Tip Casino Dealers

Unlike standard minimum wage jobs, dealers work in an incredibly high-stress environment, absorbing the anger of losing players all day long.

To place a bet for them in blackjack, put a chip slightly outside your betting circle; if your hand wins, the dealer’s bet also wins.

• Never hand cash directly to a dealer’s hand; the strict security rules require you to place the money flat on the table first
• In most modern casinos, all dealer tips are ‘pooled’ and split evenly among everyone on the shift, ensuring fair pay for dealers stuck on slow tables
• If you hit a massive slot machine hand-pay jackpot, it is customary to tip the slot attendant who brings you the cash roughly 1% to 2% of the total

Navigating Tipping Beyond the Tables

While the drinks are usually ‘free’ while you are actively gambling, the physical labor of carrying heavy trays through a crowded casino is not.

If you tip $5 on your very first drink order, the waitress will actively seek you out for the rest of her shift, ensuring your glass is never empty.

Tipping is the invisible grease that keeps the massive gears of the casino hospitality machine turning smoothly.