How Do Casino Hosts Make Money

broken image


What Casino Hosts Do. A casino host may be called upon to do a lot of things, with the lengths they are prepared to go for you, for the most part anyway, limited only by one's imagination and one's value to the casino. The base salary for Executive Casino Host ranges from $44,554 to $88,630 with the average base salary of $57,764. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $48,768 to $97,579 with the average total cash compensation of $63,494.

Alembert
Over the years I have learned that it is not appropriate to tip floor personnel in the pit. I have recently started to get attention from hosts at the small casinos I play in Vegas. If a host provides you with room and dinner or a show or other fairly nominal comps/perks, what is an appropriate tip? Is it appropriate to tip them when you arrive, when you leave, when they give you tickets?
Also, what is the best manner to hosts to your advantage? Keep asking until they eventually say no? Ask for everything you want before your trip begins?
Any advice from more experienced players will be greatly appreciated.
AxelWolf

Over the years I have learned that it is not appropriate to tip floor personnel in the pit. I have recently started to get attention from hosts at the small casinos I play in Vegas. If a host provides you with room and dinner or a show or other fairly nominal comps/perks, what is an appropriate tip? Is it appropriate to tip them when you arrive, when you leave, when they give you tickets?
Also, what is the best manner to hosts to your advantage? Keep asking until they eventually say no? Ask for everything you want before your trip begins?
Any advice from more experienced players will be greatly appreciated.

A Hand shake with folded up money works best. Gift cards 2nd best. The Amount should be based on what they give you. $20 up to 1k. I would give half upfront and just say Ill take care of you again before I leave. Next time you can just do it at the end.
You can usually get a good feel for what you can get. Their wording is key. 'Anything you want let me know' vs 'I can take care of SOME stuff for you.' If the use word like I might, or ill see what I can do, come see me before you check out. Are not so great
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
Ahigh
Now here's something I had no clue about. I would think that tipping your host would be against the house policy! Seems like a really dangerous thing for the casinos to be okay with.
tongni
it really depends what kind of player you are. if you're a recreational gambler, you might get slightly increased comps, they may squeeze you into some invite only stuff that your play doesn't quite qualify for, take off an extra 10% of your loss off your room charges making your comp balance negative, etc. for that stuff, $50 is probably appropriate.
they can also reissue free play, hold offers that you didn't make it for and give it to you later, read back your player account to you, put you in free rooms when you're not technically on property, let you know about gossip/personnel changes, edit your player account, charge off way more than they should, get you prescription drugs/narcotics/women, get you unbanned from the casino, give you non-public information about drawings, explain the marketing system to you, and many more things. those things might be worth a hundred or two to a few thousand.
either way, if you're a nice guy, and you don't yell at them when things don't go your way or they have to say no, then i think you'll be in the top 5% of all their customers. remember, if you want something on either list, you should always ask. the worst they can say is no.
Wizard
Administrator
I've said this before, but tipping casino hosts is supposed to not be allowed, but routinely happens. It isn't expected, because hosts are already compensated for your play by the casino. However, in my opinion, and that of many, tipping hosts is well worth it if you're asking for things beyond your level play. I think it is only worthwhile for high-end players, who get over $10,000 in comps per year. A tip to the host can help you get into tournaments and other events that you might be marginally qualified for. You don't need to tip a lot. Personally, I like to make a $110 sports bet on the host's favorite team and hand him the ticket, emphasizing it will pay $210 if it wins. I think tipping cash to a host looks tacky and seems like more of an abuse of the rules. Any tip should be put in an envelope, in the interests of discretion.

How Do Casino Hosts Make Money Fast

How Do Casino Hosts Make Money
Don't feel obligated to tip for things you're entitled to anyway.
Money
p.s. I was thinking of making an 'Ask the Wizard' question out of this, but then found I already did in my Sep. 1, 2007 column.
It's not whether you win or lose; it's whether or not you had a good bet.
kewlj

I've said this before, but tipping casino hosts is supposed to not be allowed, but routinely happens. It isn't expected, because hosts are already compensated for your play by the casino. However, in my opinion, and that of many, tipping hosts is well worth it if you're asking for things beyond your level play. I think it is only worthwhile for high-end players, who get over $10,000 in comps per year. A tip to the host can help you get into tournaments and other events that you might be marginally qualified for. You don't need to tip a lot. Personally, I like to make a $110 sports bet on the host's favorite team and hand him the ticket, emphasizing it will pay $210 if it wins. I think tipping cash to a host looks tacky and seems like more of an abuse of the rules. Any tip should be put in an envelope, in the interests of discretion.
Don't feel obligated to tip for things you're entitled to anyway.


Mike, I don't mean to judge you or anyone. But isn't tipping someone, with the understanding or even hopes of receiving something back that you are not entitled to or would not otherwise receive, nothing more than a veiled form of bribery? The fact that such activities are commonplace and accepted by society, does not push it across the line from wrong to right in my book.
AxelWolf
How Do Casino Hosts Make Money

it really depends what kind of player you are. if you're a recreational gambler, you might get slightly increased comps, they may squeeze you into some invite only stuff that your play doesn't quite qualify for, take off an extra 10% of your loss off your room charges making your comp balance negative, etc. for that stuff, $50 is probably appropriate.
.

Did I miss something? DON'T TIP FOR THIS AT ALL. That's what a host should be doing that's why they are a host.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
AxelWolf

Mike, I don't mean to judge you or anyone. But isn't tipping someone, with the understanding or even hopes of receiving something back that you are not entitled to or would not otherwise receive, nothing more than a veiled form of bribery? The fact that such activities are commonplace and accepted by society, does not push it across the line from wrong to right in my book.

Yes it is a form of bribery. However, it's allowed up to a point. The casinos allow it, they know its going on. They make it against the official policy just to cover their ass in case it goes to far.
Don't forget hosts cant give out unlimited comps, they have a comp budget to work with. If it's to far out of whack they will eventually lose their job.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
kewlj

Yes it is a form of bribery. However, it's allowed up to a point. The casinos allow it, they know its going on. They make it against the official policy just to cover their ass in case it goes to far.
Don't forget hosts cant give out unlimited comps, they have a comp budget to work with. If it's to far out of whack they will eventually lose their job.

How Do Casino Hosts Make Money Free


Make
Don't feel obligated to tip for things you're entitled to anyway.
p.s. I was thinking of making an 'Ask the Wizard' question out of this, but then found I already did in my Sep. 1, 2007 column.
It's not whether you win or lose; it's whether or not you had a good bet.
kewlj

I've said this before, but tipping casino hosts is supposed to not be allowed, but routinely happens. It isn't expected, because hosts are already compensated for your play by the casino. However, in my opinion, and that of many, tipping hosts is well worth it if you're asking for things beyond your level play. I think it is only worthwhile for high-end players, who get over $10,000 in comps per year. A tip to the host can help you get into tournaments and other events that you might be marginally qualified for. You don't need to tip a lot. Personally, I like to make a $110 sports bet on the host's favorite team and hand him the ticket, emphasizing it will pay $210 if it wins. I think tipping cash to a host looks tacky and seems like more of an abuse of the rules. Any tip should be put in an envelope, in the interests of discretion.
Don't feel obligated to tip for things you're entitled to anyway.


Mike, I don't mean to judge you or anyone. But isn't tipping someone, with the understanding or even hopes of receiving something back that you are not entitled to or would not otherwise receive, nothing more than a veiled form of bribery? The fact that such activities are commonplace and accepted by society, does not push it across the line from wrong to right in my book.
AxelWolf

it really depends what kind of player you are. if you're a recreational gambler, you might get slightly increased comps, they may squeeze you into some invite only stuff that your play doesn't quite qualify for, take off an extra 10% of your loss off your room charges making your comp balance negative, etc. for that stuff, $50 is probably appropriate.
.

Did I miss something? DON'T TIP FOR THIS AT ALL. That's what a host should be doing that's why they are a host.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
AxelWolf

Mike, I don't mean to judge you or anyone. But isn't tipping someone, with the understanding or even hopes of receiving something back that you are not entitled to or would not otherwise receive, nothing more than a veiled form of bribery? The fact that such activities are commonplace and accepted by society, does not push it across the line from wrong to right in my book.

Yes it is a form of bribery. However, it's allowed up to a point. The casinos allow it, they know its going on. They make it against the official policy just to cover their ass in case it goes to far.
Don't forget hosts cant give out unlimited comps, they have a comp budget to work with. If it's to far out of whack they will eventually lose their job.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
kewlj

Yes it is a form of bribery. However, it's allowed up to a point. The casinos allow it, they know its going on. They make it against the official policy just to cover their ass in case it goes to far.
Don't forget hosts cant give out unlimited comps, they have a comp budget to work with. If it's to far out of whack they will eventually lose their job.

How Do Casino Hosts Make Money Free


The casino's allow it, so it must be ok? The casino's allow, encourage, push players to be over intoxicated and lose money that they can't afford. The casinos allow, implement a policy of enticement for working people to cash their paycheck and spend it at the casino, before they ever get home to pay the rent and buy food.
I don't allow the casino's to make the decision of what is right or wrong for me.
AxelWolf

The casino's allow it, so it must be ok? The casino's allow, encourage, push players to be over intoxicated and lose money that they can't afford. The casinos allow, implement a policy of enticement for working people to cash their paycheck and spend it at the casino, before they ever get home to pay the rent and buy food.
I don't allow the casino's to make the decision of what is right or wrong for me.

I'm confused, are you saying you think its immoral? If so why? I assume its not illeagal, i don't the gaming laws on that. Let us assume its not.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪

Many casinos, especially the larger ones, employ a team of casino hosts whose sole job is to make players happy and assist them in getting the most out of their experience with the casino, within reason, and sometimes even beyond reason depending on the value of the player.

Casino hosts work for the marketing department of a casino, and marketing is what they do. The idea here is to develop relationships with higher value players so that they not only stay at your casino longer, they come back more often, and they hopefully play less or preferably not at all at competing casinos.

So as marketing agents, their role is to provide extra value, reasons to play with them, and these reasons go beyond the normal features of the casino or even the players club. Pretty much all casinos have a players club which reward players based upon their play, and casino hosts pick up where that leaves off and provide additional value, incentives, and special to very special treatment.

Best USA Online Casinos for 2020

Comparison of Top US Gambling Sites

RankOnline CasinoKey InfoBonus InfoVisit Casino
#1
  • Excellent Payout Speeds
  • 280% Welcome Bonus
  • Brand New Casino
#2
  • Large Selection of Slots
  • Variety of Banking Options
  • 300% Bonus up to $6,000
#3
  • High end game graphics
  • Visa, MC, BTC, Neosurf
  • Fast payouts
#4
  • Instant Play & Download
  • Over 250+ Online Slots
  • 4-8 Hr. Payout Time
#5
  • 250% First Deposit Bonus
  • Fast Payout Times
  • Large Selection of Games

As a rule, casino hosts server higher value players, not necessarily the huge ones, the whales, but certainly players that the casino finds to be very desirable. How desirable does vary by casino, and it is probably easier to get assigned a casino host at a smaller casino or one that doesn't tend to attract a lot of high rollers than at one of the higher end casinos on the Las Vegas strip, where your more modest play will get rewarded but won't be enough to get the personal treatment a dedicated casino host can offer.

How Do Casino Hosts Make Money Online

The higher your value as a player, meaning the more you bet in total, the better treatment you will get, and while this is true for all players really, where you can earn yourself things like discounts off meals or tickets at the casino resort, or even free meals or tickets if your play warrants it, or even be able to stay there for free, we're talking bigger than that really, when having your meals and room comped doesn't do quite enough for you and you deserve more.

So we're talking fairly high rollers here generally, those who would typically use $100 black chips and up, and have a pretty good stack of them, and preferably a nice line of credit to buy more.

How You Get Assigned A Casino Host

Higher rollers at casinos often don't bring money actually, they are given credit lines and are expected to pay back losses within a set period, depending on the arrangement.

Not surprisingly, this is a more effective way to part big players with their money as this tends to have them risking more than they perhaps would if they just brought a bankroll to play with.

Based upon how much of a credit line you get approved for, if it's a worthy sized one, you may get assigned a casino host right off the bat, especially if we're talking a real large sum here. The bigger players, the whales, who are good for a million or more a trip, don't have to ask, casino hosts will aggressively pursue you if you are in this category, and the competition for these players is pretty fierce as you might imagine.

Other than that, as a rule if you are playing at a casino and wondering whether or not you merit being assigned a host, typically they will find you, not the other way around, and casinos are well on top of your play if you are in the players club, and you can bet that big enough play for this will not go unnoticed.

However, one is free to ask to be assigned a host if they feel like they may warrant one, and at some places more modest players may get treated to this extra service.

What Casino Hosts Do

A casino host may be called upon to do a lot of things, with the lengths they are prepared to go for you, for the most part anyway, limited only by one's imagination and one's value to the casino.

They are there to assist you, that's their only job actually, although keep in mind that they do report to the casino so they have to justify both their time and their spending the casino's money to their bosses, so you have to be worthy of this special treatment.

To the extent that you are though, casino hosts can do anything from helping you book your dinner and show reservations, to just about anything. Some of the requests can be quite strange, like the player who had a fetish for urinating on walls, and so his host provided that opportunity to him as requested.

Sometimes casinos have special events where you have to be a VIP to even be invited, and the bigger VIPs get even better special treatment, such as things like ringside seats, or invitations to private parties.

If you're worth it, you may be treated to one of those very expensive villas that you might see at a casino's site, although it might be very difficult to impossible to book them, because they are often kept for these huge players to stay at for free as a token of the casino's appreciation for their play.

Some of these accommodations run five figures a night, so you can get an idea of how big this stuff goes from that.

Given that casino hosts often actively recruit players, in addition to providing all they can at the casino, the hosts themselves may propose deals, such as an expensive trip to an exotic location, where the casino host himself or herself may accompany the player on and continue to take care of the player's needs while they vacation together.

How Much Money Do Casino Hosts Make

Of course any problem a player may have is sent to the casino host, who sometimes go a long way to resolving them. It doesn't even matter if the request is reasonable or not, for instance one casino got in trouble with gaming authorities when it was discovered that they were permitting late bets from a player, the player felt that he deserved to make these late bets and he was important enough that even this sacred rule was broken for him.

There's also a lot of babysitting that goes on with this job, especially given that some big players act in ways not considered appropriate, like throwing temper tantrums, and your job is to help keep them out of trouble and smooth things over as much as possible, because after all, these are valuable players.

Having a casino host though is definitely a very nice perk that will almost certainly make your stay at a casino better, and you get to decide what better means for the most part.





broken image