A casino is not only about game rules and probability math. Your impression of a visit is built from dozens of micro-moments: how quickly the car is brought around, whether baggage is handled carefully, if a cocktail arrives on time, and how friendly and professional the dealer runs the table. Tipping is a universal way to say “thank you” for service while tuning the table’s vibe to your wavelength. Below is a practical, frank guide to where, whom, and how much to tip so you stay within etiquette and avoid overspending.
From the Door: Valet and Bellhop
The first interaction is at the entrance. The valet ensures quick car delivery and often works at a fast pace. A small “thank you” when handing over or retrieving the vehicle helps speed things up: a symbolic couple of dollars is standard practice.
Don’t forget the bellhop at check-in. For heavy luggage, the benchmark is around $10. If the staffer helps with extra requests (booking a table, bringing cigarettes, finding a plug adapter, etc.), add a bit more — you save time and encourage attention to detail next time.
Slot Floor: The Unspoken Rules of Slot Culture
The slot floor has its own rhythm and traditions. Large wins (some casinos process handpays starting at ~ $1200) are typically cashed at the cage or with a supervising employee present. The starting point for gratitude is about $20; after that, tip according to the situation and how the service felt.
If you hit a jackpot, an informal norm for tipping the cashier/attendant is up to about 3% of the amount received. It’s not a law, but a gesture of appreciation for proper, speedy processing.
Stepping away briefly? Ask any available floor employee to “hold” your machine for 3–5 minutes. If you need longer, request a temporary deactivation. This service is usually tipped around $5; increase it if the wait runs longer.
Blackjack: The Rhythm of Tipping in a Fast Game
Blackjack is dynamic: dozens of hands per hour, with the dealer setting the pace and maintaining the atmosphere. At low limits, it’s sensible to tip at the end of the session, especially if you finished ahead. Players wagering $25 and up often tip in the moment: a short local heater is reason enough, and $5 is perfectly appropriate.
How to tip? Two options:
- Chips directly to the dealer — drop them in the tip box at any time.
- A bet “for the dealer” — place a chip next to yours and say it’s “for the dealer.” If it wins, the payout goes to the staffer.
This format adds a friendly vibe at the table and sometimes even feels like it “nudges luck.”
Roulette: Betting on the Croupier and Percentages
At roulette, tipping as a share of winnings — up to 5% — is considered normal. If you’re calling a lot of announced bets, asking for markers, and generally giving the table more work, be a bit more generous: the croupier notices and appreciates courtesy.
A popular move is to place a bet for the croupier: for example, $10 on an even-money option (even/odd, red/black) and state in advance that a hit is theirs. Some prefer a split arrangement: “if it lands, 10% of the win goes to the croupier.” Confirm house policy — some venues formalize “bets for the dealer,” others don’t.
Poker: The Deal vs. the Post-Flop Pot
Poker tipping culture varies the most. Newcomers often tip “per event” — $1 for a successful deal, especially if you dragged the pot uncontested. Regulars usually key off pots played after the flop: win a sizable pot and leave a dollar or two (more if the pot is big). In tournaments, many tip on bust-out or at the final table; in cash games, it’s flexible and follows the game’s rhythm. The main thing is not to break the pace: a tip is a short, clear gesture, not a production.
Craps: Table Energy and Thanking the Whole Crew
Craps is the loudest, most “team-based” table in the casino. Here, tips are often placed as bets for the crew: for example, a small pass line or place bet “for the team.” It boosts energy and supports the shared rhythm.
If your roll catches fire and a crowd gathers, a collective thank-you works too — $5 for a long run of throws feels natural. Note: multiple staffers work this game, and the tip pool is split among them — your gesture is seen by everyone.
Bar and Service: Comps Are Not a Free Bar by Default
Servers, cocktail service, and the bar are a separate etiquette zone. Base pay is typically modest, and tips are a key income component. A classic benchmark is $1–2 per drink (including non-alcoholic).
Important: “free” drinks (comps) don’t mean “no tip.” In some casinos, active players do receive complimentary drinks, but $1–2 for service is still customary. In some venues, comps are limited and part of the menu is chargeable — ask about the rules to avoid awkward moments.
Before the Cage and at the Exit: Chips, Souvenirs, and the Player Card
Whether you leave with chips or not determines the one “mandatory” stop: the cage. You don’t need to tip the cashier for the exchange itself. Cash out calmly and move on.
Like souvenirs? Casinos usually don’t mind if you take one chip “as a keepsake.” There are even collectors: for instance, Gregg Fisher made the Guinness World Records by amassing 818 $1 chips from different casinos — an intriguing hobby in its own right.
Plan to return? Get a player card. Loyalty perks are tangible: from complimentary cocktails and dinners to room discounts and transfers. Pairing tips for great service with mindful use of the card becomes a formula that literally converts into privileges.
Tipping Cheat Sheet: Benchmarks by Popular Games
The following aren’t dogma, but handy anchors; adjust for table limits, session length, and service quality.
- Blackjack: ~ $5 for a short heater or at the end of a low-limit session; players at $25+ often tip in the moment.
- Slots: $10–20 on a handpay or large cashout; up to ~ 3% of a jackpot is considered a generous, fair gesture.
- Roulette: up to 5% of winnings; a bet “for the croupier” is a nice touch where allowed.
- Craps: $5 for a long successful “run,” or small “for the crew” bets during play.
- Poker (cash): $1 for a won hand is the basic habit; more if the pot is large.
The Geography of Gestures: Where Tips Are Welcomed, and Where They Are More Reserved
Tipping culture differs by country and even by operator. In the United Kingdom, tipping dealers was long prohibited to preserve staff neutrality; attitudes remain more restrained today, and croupiers often decline. Practice across continental Europe is generally moderate as well.
In Macau and the Caribbean, tips are welcomed, but there are no hard rules: go by your winnings and the room’s behavior. If you’re unsure, a universal approach is up to 5–10% of your session result — enough to show appreciation and stay within etiquette.
Courtesy That Makes the Game Better
Casino tipping is neither a “mandatory levy” nor a way to “buy luck.” It’s a language of respect for the people who shape your comfort and game rhythm: the valet saves minutes, the bellhop solves small tasks, the server keeps you refreshed, and the dealer creates the very atmosphere you came for. Keep a simple formula in mind: tip where service was tangibly helpful, use the benchmarks to size amounts, factor in limits and session length — and your gesture will always be on point. Courtesy in a casino, like the game itself, loves precise calculation and good timing.
