General custom dictates that casino-floor employees who assist players during their gaming experience should receive tips. Although you are under no obligation to tip them, recognizing cultural norms will help determine whether and how much to give.
As with many instances of tipping, there is no exact figure which represents an acceptable or appropriate tip amount (unless an automatic gratuity has already been included with a service). Instead, tips typically fall within a range of acceptable or recommended amounts.
Dos
Experts advise jackpot winners to determine prior to claiming their prize whether or not they plan on splitting it, since any sum that is given away post-winning may incur gift tax liabilities.
Respect other players’ personal space when waiting for a machine. It would be impolite to wait near someone or in their peripheral vision; additionally, planning your tipping ahead can prevent overtipping which often occurs upon winning big!
Don?ts
As a rule, it is considered impolite to loiter next to or within close range of someone playing a machine. Instead, it would be polite and respectful of them to wait at another machine until either they have completed playing their machine or at a suitable break in play.
Try not to announce openly what’s in your hand to other players; this is particularly important if you hold pocket pairs like K-J and T-T on a board of A-A-K-Q.
Experts advise determining before claiming whether or not you wish to split the jackpot with others before making your claim. Any sum given after filing could incur gift taxes that cost more than your winnings; so working with a trusted professional to manage it properly is wise.
Rules of Conduct
If you are playing a jackpot that requires hand pay, make sure that you tip the floor staff who deliver your money. In general, tipping 0.5%-1.0% of the jackpot would be appropriate; that works out to $5-10 dollars for a $1,000 jackpot! It is best to plan ahead and do not overdo your tipping in an exciting moment.
Avoid touching your cards with two hands and don’t bend them; otherwise, some unscrupulous players could attempt to cheat their way to a jackpot by bending specific cards. Furthermore, keep an eye on only your own cards instead of those belonging to other players.
Make sure to remember that winning big means paying income taxes; to lessen this impact, structuring your payout through a charitable entity such as a private foundation or donor-advised fund may reduce tax costs; my article here can provide further details.
Etiquette
After winning a significant amount in a casino, it is customary to tip casino staff. While amounts vary depending on personal circumstance and level of service provided, gratuities can show your appreciation and reflect how important tipping is in society.
Avoid standing directly adjacent to or within their peripheral vision when waiting for winners; doing so would be considered rude and potentially invading their personal space.
Respect the personal space of players still playing. If there is no obvious need for you to be there – such as a break in play – move away or wait until they finish before approaching them again later on. When making tipping decisions, consider the size of jackpot prizes as larger prizes usually merit higher tips.