Tipping in Las Vegas - Who? And How Much?
Tipping in Las Vegas can be confusing, especially if you're coming from somewhere tipping isn't the norm.
My Vegas tipping guide outlines who you should tip and what's expected, depending on the service.
I'm a firm believer that the "gambling Gods" know how much you tipped... or didn't 🙂 Act accordingly. As Taylor Swift says, "Karma is a cat".
I don't know what that means, but I think I'm inferring that tipping in Vegas will help you win money.
Slot Attendants
Slot Jackpots... This tipping scenario stresses me out most.
They know you're flush with cash (because they gave it to you!), and I detest looking cheap.
Tip in the neighborhood of 1% ($20 on a $2,000 jackpot), but it's common to tip slightly more, up to 2% on small jackpots depending on the level of service received.
While I've never hit a big jackpot, scale the tip amount back to around 0.5% ($500 tip on a $100,000 win) for a major hit.
Drink Servers
On the Casino Floor
$1 has been the customary tip for drinks for years and years, with no adjustment for inflation.
While $1 per drink is still "fine" for a complimentary cocktail while gambling, I recommend $2 or $3 instead, $5 if you're feeling generous.
At a Bar/Restaurant
At a restaurant or bar, tip 20% of your total check.
Table Game Dealers
Don't wait until the end of your session. Tip as you play. That way, the dealer doesn't get hosed if you leave empty-handed.
I typically throw the dealer $5-$10 after a big hand or a nice run of hands.
The dealer(s) have a massive impact on game enjoyment. Reward the ones that make it fun.
Street Performers
You are not obligated to tip a street performer anything. While they work for tips, they can't set a price for their services.
Visitors are often pressured to pay more, up to $20-$50 per person. Don't let them shame you into giving more than you're comfortable with.
If you do choose to pose for a souvenir photo, tipping $5-$10 total (not per person) is appropriate.
Agree on a price before snapping a picture to avoid awkwardness.
Related: Scams in Las Vegas - What to watch for.
The Bellman
The ability to check your bags with the bellman before your room is ready or after check-out is a massive convenience. But they ain't volunteering.
At a minimum, tip $1-$2 per bag for both drop-off and pick-up.
I hand over $5 - $10 for each leg of the transaction.
The same tipping structure applies to delivering bags to your room, but I suggest the upper end of the range if they're bringing your bags to you.
Housekeeping
This one is easy to skip, as you never have to make eye contact with the person performing the service. But don't.
Leave $5-$10 per occasion (meaning, every day you request/recieve service).
Leave a tip daily vs. at the end of your stay.
Transportation
Rideshare & Taxis
It's appropriate to tip Uber & Lyft drivers about 15%-20% of the base fare.
I usually go with the highest default tipping option suggested by the Uber or Lyft app.
Shuttle Bus Drivers
Typically, dropping a few singles into the tip jar when you exit the bus at your destination is enough.
Restaurant Servers
At "sit-down" restaurants, where your food & drink are delivered to your table, you should tip 20% of the total bill.
At quick-serve or fast-food joints, where you order and pick up your items at a counter, tipping is optional, but appreciated.
Usually, the person ringing up your transaction will flip a screen around with your tipping options.
While optional, I usually throw them a 10-20% tip. Karma, right?
At Buffets
Because most buffets are self-service, you can scale your tip back and leave a few bucks per person.
If you dine at a buffet where drinks are delivered to your table rather than self-service, I'd recommend sticking to the standard 20%.
Poolside Servers
Just like in a sit-down restaurant, 20% is a customary tip for poolside service.
Be prepared: Auto-gratuity is often included on your bill. My server at Palms recently explained to me that "the auto gratuity goes to everyone but me" (as in the back-of-house dudes).
She then highlighted a line where I could add a tip specifically for her.
Look, I'm sure they're all splitting the tip. It's a shakedown. I get it.
I added an extra tip, as we rent cabanas there frequently and she did a great job, but don't feel pressured to go over 20% if you're not comfortable.
At the Hotel Front Desk
It's not customary to tip at the hotel front desk.
Some people try the $20 trick, sliding the front desk worker $20 upfront to try to get an upgrade, but it's optional and not guaranteed to garner results.
The Valet
I don’t usually drive in Vegas because I am pretty consistently inebriated. If you use Valet service, consider $5-$10 an acceptable tip per interaction.
Related: Should you rent a car in Las Vegas? Probs not.
Nightclub Staff
It's not my scene. I wouldn’t even know what I would do in a nightclub.
Like, what are you supposed to do with your hands?
You're on your own here, but I'm sure plenty of tipping is involved.
My suggestion? Just find a craps table. It'll be more fun anyway.
The key to tipping in Las Vegas is being prepared for the service interactions you'll have that day.
That means knowing how much to tip and having the appropriate bills on you to complete the transaction.
Feature Image: ©joephotographer/123RF
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.
Good info. I make sure to tip the housekeepers well. ($5 minimum/ night) At the end of the day, I want to come back to a nice clean room and I've found that by the 2nd or 3rd day, the level of room care goes up a lot if you're tipping along the way. I always factor tipping into my Vegas budget. Who doesn't like to feel like a high roller.
Absolutely - I feel so guilty for not getting on board with tipping them earlier. I've even heard stories of tipped housekeepers leaving "extras" like champagne, etc. Its never happened to me but here's to hoping!
Regarding Street Performers: yes, it’s most appropriate to tip $1 to $5 to an action figure, or a cartoon character(most of them are WAPs anyway), but the pairs of shirtless men or feathered show girls/naughty police that do a routine series of memorable poses always suggest a $20 tip each(they are coached to do so by the company providing the costumes and they have to pay a “stage fee" regardless how much tips they made) so don’t be shocked or think you are being scammed, it is up to you how much you want to tip but those guys and girls do work for it
Thanks as a foreigner now I know where tips are expected and what activities to avoid doing in order to not have to tip. Carry my own luggage. Make very short stays. Avoid drinking more than one or two drinks. Eat fast food all trip.
You missed the girls cleaning ashtrays and guys mopping bathrooms, they make it all shine.
@Dave, in the gym I tip the room attendant who keeps the place clean a $5 weekly tip.
"While I’ve never hit a big jackpot, I’d scale the tip amount back to around 0.5% ($5,000 tip on a $100,000 win) for a major hit." That is 5%, not 0.5%. Tip 500.
If you do rent a car and plan on being in and out a lot, I suggest tipping the Valet $20-$50 up front (depending on length of stay) and then a few bucks each interaction. They'll keep your car closer and you'll have a minimal wait even when it's busy.
Yet another reason to never go to Las Vegas
Tipping is hardly a Vegas phenomenon...
Would love an update re: poolside service as well! We were confused there recently.
I got it added! Thanks!
Poolside service is essentially the same as if you were dining at a bar or restaurant - 20% is standard.