In various tourist publications (What's on in Las Vegas, to mention one), there is a page listing "suggested" tips. If you followed all the "suggestions" you could easily exceed $50 a day.
I've read that if you win a slot jackpot tipping the slot attendent (and "of course" the security guard who checks that he is paying you your fair share) is also suggested--why? (If the attendent said "this machine is 'hot'" and I won, no question, he deserves a tip.)
[I was on line where a man ahead of me bought $9 of magazines and newspapers, he gave the clerk a $10 bill and the $1 change he returned as a tip.]
Tipping has gotten out of hand.
Any comments?

If I hit a hand pay on video poker, I normally tip the slot attendant (not the supervisor) $20. If I hit a big one ($8000 or more) and they go through the trouble to get me a check or fetch markers, I tip more.

I don't really feel obligated to do it, but I get faster service that way.

And, if they told me a video poker machine was "hot", I'd laugh and explain random number generators to them.

If you have to take a cab or two throughout the day and between tipping at restaurants and bellhops, I could see a days tips exceeding $50. Not often, but on occasion. Vegas is a tipping city. It is VERY service oriented. Also, factoring in, tipping for those free drinks you are receiving while gambling, yes, $50 would be easy to hit on some days.

When in Vegas...

It's the only city I'm totally comfortable with the $20 (or in my case $100) tip at hotel checkin.

And you feel like Frank Sinatra when you're doing it.

But on the whole, everywhere else, I really do abhor the practice.

So, a typical day:

1). My room is comped, so I don't tip for a room "upgrade" (very silly, IMO).
2). $2-$5 per day for the room maid.
3). $1-$2 per drink (even if it is water or soda) while gambling. Since I'm normally with my wife, let's say $10 for the day. If we're at the bar, the same or more for the bartender.
4). 20% tip on my comped meals
5). $2 for the valet.
6) $20 for video poker hand pays.

That's at least $50, probably at lot closer to $150.

Vegas is very tipping oriented...I don't know about service. Seems like you have to tip to get service, not the other way around. I'd rather put up with screaming brats at Disney than snotty people they employ in Vegas.

fifty dollars in tips a day doesn't seem outrageous to me; a lot depends on what you are doing. If you are eating expensive meals, tipping adds up fast. Also, you tip the cocktail waitress if she brings a drink; since she pays for the drinks, this is her only way to get ahead on the cost. You'd tip a bartender in other cities. You pay the valet who brings your car around...usually 3-5. In most major cities, you are going to pay 10-20 to have your car parked, plus tip. Generally, if I am playing a table game like blackjack, I will tip the dealers now and again. Some people never do.

I agree that it is a pleasure to go somewhere where tipping is not expected or part of the compensation, but in the US generally, tipping is part of the expected income of folks in the service industry. I don't think LV is really out of the norm in that regard except that there are a lot more people who are in the service sector.

I only tip when I'm asking someone go above and beyond, or they did so without me asking. The front desk clerk for an upgrade? Of course. The person who checks me out at the magazine counter? Negative.

LOL! I've tipped newstand employees in Vegas!

Tipping is offensive in many countries and I find it very distasteful watching mainly North Americans trying to buy better service or impose their status on what they think are people below themself in poorer countries.

Cocktail waitresses do not pay for the drinks. They probably share some of thier tips with the Bartender and Bar Backs, but the Casino covers the cost of the drinks.

not sure if the cocktail server pays for the drinks and it wouldn't make sense if they did if the "std tip" is only $1.00 however all the servers i've met at the rio do not share their tips. simply put, i asked them-so the $1.00 i tip for my coffee (i don't drink when i play ) and the $5.00* bet which turned into 3 of a kind on one hand and a straight flush** on another in 3 card poker goes into their pocket.

*in addition to playing for the dealer, i also play for the cocktail servers
**one particular hand was very nice as i had $5.00 for the dealer, $5.00 for the server and $25 for me on the front bet

That is interesting this waitress says she gives the bartender 20%. I think she works at NYNY.


Last year I was playing Pai Gow Poker with a buddy, and we made a side bet of $5 each for the Dealer and cute Waitress at the Wynn who had been very nice to us. Karma must have been on our side since my buddy hit a Royal, so $750 each for the dealer and waitress. Unfortunately the dealers tip went into the pool.

i don't know of any casino where the dealers keep their own but at most of the harrah's properties, the cocktail staff gets to keep it all

Haha, well to each his own. I'm certainly not going to knock someone else for doing it