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

Understanding the unwritten rules of the ‘toke’ (casino slang for a tip) will ensure you are treated like a VIP by the staff.

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.

You can tip a dealer in two distinct ways: simply handing them a chip directly, or placing a bet specifically for them.

• 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

Who Else Should You Tip in a Casino?

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

When you arrive at the resort, tipping the valet $2 to $5 when they return your car is standard practice.

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