While the main casino floor is filled with casual tourists playing penny slots, a completely different world exists behind closed doors.

Understanding the ecosystem of the high roller reveals the extravagant, hidden economy operating within every major gambling hub.

The Definition of a ‘Whale’

Whales are the absolute apex predators of the gambling world, often placing $50,000 to $100,000 on a single hand of Baccarat.

There are estimated to be fewer than 500 legitimate whales operating globally, primarily wealthy businessmen from Asia and the Middle East.

• A ‘Premium Mass’ player is a newer term for wealthy tourists who bet large amounts but don’t quite reach the multi-million dollar whale status
• Credit lines (markers) extended to whales are often secured by massive international real estate holdings or corporate assets
• The stress on the casino executives is immense when a whale is playing, as a $10 million loss can severely impact the bottom line

What Do Casinos Give Away to High Rollers?

Casinos maintain massive, multi-story penthouse ‘Villas’ that are never available to the general public, reserved exclusively for these top-tier VIPs.

If a whale wants front-row tickets to a sold-out championship boxing match, the casino will simply buy the seats at an exorbitant markup.

The world of the casino whale is a fascinating study in extreme wealth and the lengths corporations will go to capture it.