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Tipping in Las Vegas – Who? And How Much?

Tipping in Las Vegas can be confusing, especially for those coming from places where tipping isn’t customary.

Not thinking about tipping in advance can create an uncomfortable situation or lead to poor service.

I want to help you avoid that disapproving glance and take care of those who take care of us!

My guide to tipping in Vegas outlines who you should tip, and how much is expected. Feel free to go bigger to make someone’s day, or more importantly, to accumulate good karma. 

I’m a firm believer that the slot machines know how much you tipped… or didn’t 🙂 Act accordingly.

Ensure you plan ahead and have the correct bill denominations at the ready for every tipping scenario. I typically ensure I have a small stack of $1 and $5 bills in my wallet before hitting the town.

See Also: Items to put on your Las Vegas packing list

How Much to Tip Slot Attendants on a Handpay Jackpot in Vegas

You hit a slot jackpot in Las Vegas! Congrats! Now your slot attendant is counting your handpay and you’re having a mini panic attack deciding how much to tip. You don’t want to overdo it, but also don’t want to be stingy.

I recommend tipping around 1% ($20 on a $2,000 jackpot) but it’s common for folks 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, I’d scale the tip amount back to around 0.5% ($500 tip on a $100,000 win) for a major hit.

Play the slots with a plan. know in advance how much you plan to tip the attendant on both small jackpots as well as the big one should it hit to avoid the stress of a split-second decision.

Cash
©nata7777/123RF.COM

How Much to Tip For Free Drinks in Vegas

Free drinks while gambling is one of the best aspects of Las Vegas, but how much should you tip the cocktail waitress? The baseline acceptable tip amount here is $1 per drink delivered, however, that amount should be treated as a bare minimum.

If I know I’ll be at a table or slot machine for a while and have been getting great service, I’ll slip in a few $2, $3, or $5 tips every few drinks as a thank you and to show my appreciation and to ensure better service.  

How Much to Tip Casino Dealers in Vegas

Las Vegas casino dealers rely on tips to make a living and without tipping, they would make minimum wage in most cases.

While playing the tables, I tip as I play, throwing the dealer $5 – $10 dollars after a big hand or nice run of hands. Generally, I don’t wait until the end of my session because, if I’m down, I’m less likely to be generous.

Reward the dealers that give you a GREAT experience and scale your tipping back when service or their attitude & engagement doesn’t meet your expectations.  Trust me, tipping for great service as you play will improve your enjoyment of the game. 

A dealer fans the playing cards on the felt table
©lacheev/1232RF

How Much to Tip Street Performers

You are not obligated to tip a Las Vegas street performer anything. Although they work for tips, they are not able to set a price for their services.

If you do choose to pose for a souvenir photo, tipping a few dollars up to $5 at most is appropriate.   Oftentimes, you’ll be aggressively pressured to pay more, up to $20 per person. Don’t be shamed into giving more than you feel comfortable.

Related: Scams in Las Vegas – What to watch for.

How Much to Tip Bellmen in Vegas

I always get to the Hotel before check-in and store my bags at the bell desk until my room is ready. How much should you tip the bellman for stowing your bags?

It’s appropriate to tip a $1-$2 per bag upon pickup unless of course, they go above and beyond, you can always adjust upward. 

The same tipping structure is applicable for the delivery of bags to your room.

More often than not, I’m traveling with just a backpack or carry-on size bag and tip $5 at both drop-off and pick-up.

Bellman cart with 2 suitcases on it in a hotel hallway.
©pressmaster/123RF

How Much to Tip Hotel Housekeeping

Too many Las Vegas Visitors skip this tip. After all, you won’t even make eye contact before the maid has to clean the room after your weekend of debauchery.

Housekeeping staff deal with a lot of disgusting situations. Make their day and leave something, anything, behind. I recommend leaving them $5-$10 daily… or more… depending on what you put them through.  

Note too that a different person could clean your room daily. I’d recommend tipping daily, leaving the money on a table with a little note so they know it’s for them vs. a lump sum at the end of your stay.

How Much to Tip Ride Share Drivers

It’s appropriate to tip Uber & Lyft drivers around 15% – 20% of the base fare amount.  

Person holding phone to order a ride share ride
©brunopui/123RF.COM

How Much to Tip Shuttle Drivers

Typically, dropping a few singles into the tip jar when exiting the bus at your destination is sufficient.

How Much to Tip Restaurant Servers

A tip based on service received. I recommend starting at 20% of the final bill and going up from there if you had an exceptional experience. If all or part of your meal was comped or a coupon was used, don’t be cheap, tip on what the full amount would have been.  

You are also not obligated to tip when ordering “fast food” even if there is a tip jar present. More and more credit card terminals are prompting customers to tip in situations where tipping hasn’t always been customary. While I personally tip if I had a great interaction, it’s completely optional.

A restaurant folio rests on the table with a $100 bill poking out
©diy13/123RF

How Much to Tip at Buffets in Vegas

Due to the self-service nature of most buffets, you can scale your tip back and leave a few bucks a person. 

If you dine at a buffet in which drinks are delivered to your table vs. being self-service, I’d recommend sticking to the standard 20%.

Exterior of the Bacchanal Buffet which is constructed of real, and glass bricks, giving it almost an icy appearance
Courtesy of Caesars Entertainment

How Much to Tip at the Hotel Front Desk

There is no need to tip when checking into your Las Vegas hotel unless you receive an unprecedented level of service or an upgraded accommodation that was not expected.

Some Vegas travelers will use the $20 trick, sliding the front desk worker $20 upfront, in an attempt to obtain an upgrade.

Related: More on the $20 trick.

Woman tourist with suitcase chek in at reception hotel
©bignai/123RF

How Much to Tip the Valet in Vegas

I don’t drive a car in Vegas, because I am pretty consistently inebriated. For those of you that use Valet service, consider $3-$5 an acceptable tip per interaction.

Some choose to split the tip between drop off and pick up or they choose to fork it over at pickup.  

Related: Should you rent a car in Las Vegas?

Valet employee handing over a car key
©andreypopov/123RF.COM

How Much to Tip Tour Guides in Vegas

Whether you are going for a tour to visit the haunted sites around Las Vegas or taking a full-day trip out to Bryce Canyon or the Hoover Dam, I recommend tipping your tour guide between $5-$20.

The tip amount can be determined by the cost and time commitment of the excursion and the experience provided by the guide. Many don’t tip at all, you can’t go wrong if you choose to.  

Hoover Dam and Lake Mead photographed from above on the bridge
If you choose to do a tour – the Hoover Dam is a great option.

Panhandlers

I recommend you don’t “tip” or give money to the homeless individuals lining the strip with “Need Money for Weed” or related signs. Instead, direct a donation to a local charity supporting that population.

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?  

I’d look like one of those wacky inflatable arm guys you see at car dealerships. I’d rather just throw dice all night. You’re on your own here, but I’m sure plenty of tipping is involved.  

The key is to be prepared for tipping situations in Las Vegas before you hit the town. One of the most common mistakes travelers make is feeling pressured to tip too much. Go to Las Vegas armed with the knowledge, and correct bill denominations, needed to tip appropriately for the service you receive so you, and they, are happy.

Your final lesson in Vegas tipping. Hand the tip to the recipient’s hand. Don’t be like the creepy guy that used to slide a tip into my back pocket as I bagged his groceries. That is now frowned upon. Unless you’re at a strip club.

Tipping in Las Vegas doesn’t have to be stressful. Simply plan for your likely interactions, and carry plenty of small bills. Have a great trip to Las Vegas!

See Also: A complete list of free things to do in Vegas!

Feature Image: ©joephotographer/123RF

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Ray

Saturday 22nd of April 2023

"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.

Dave

Thursday 16th of February 2023

You missed the girls cleaning ashtrays and guys mopping bathrooms, they make it all shine.

David

Friday 27th of January 2023

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.

Gab-A-Lot

Saturday 29th of August 2020

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

Al Sahlen

Saturday 17th of February 2018

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.

Jake

Saturday 17th of February 2018

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!

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