Casino Host Salary
How Much Does A Casino Vip Host Make
How Much Does A Vegas Casino Host Make

By Jean Scott

How much should I play before I first contact a host? This is one of the most frequent questions I get and, unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Each casino has its own parameters for its host system. However, it sometimes helps, for general guidelines, to divide casinos into three general categories, although keep in mind that this is a subjective evaluation.
• Top-level casinos -- These are usually the largest and/or classiest casinos, with luxury hotels attached and many extra amenities. They're often the newest -- although some are classic veterans. A general guideline might be that a dollar-machine player might want to wait until he has played two to three hours and a $5 player perhaps a half hour before approaching a host. A couple who plays only quarters, but from morning to night, might want to consider doing so after one day of such heavy play.
• Low-level casinos -- These are usually the older and/or smaller casinos in a jurisdiction; they often look 'tired,' if not actually rundown and shabby. They sometimes don't offer any accommodations, and if they do, they're basic no-frills hotels or motels. Many don't even have a host system, but if they do, you can approach a host after an hour or two of quarter play or a few minutes at the dollar machines.
• Mid-level casinos – These are what you have if you can't place a casino in either a “top” or “bottom” category. Because there are so many of them, the range of comp benefits, thus the range of betting requirements, is broad. Off-Strip in Vegas and on riverboat casinos, both with a strong local market, comp requirements are usually based on a longer-term history of play, while casinos with a fly-in market give out comps on a trip basis. However, regular dollar players, even those playing only a couple of hours a day, will find that they're warmly welcomed by the hosts in most mid-level casinos, and heavy quarter players usually will also be surprised at the number of benefits they can receive.
But the best advice I can give you is to ASK. I don’t mean to ask a host for a specific comp, like a free meal. But it is always proper to speak to a host and in a polite, non-demanding tone ask for an explanation of the comp system. Although it is not out of line to talk to a host before you have played at a new casino, I suggest that players approach a host after they have played to what they judge to be just below the bottom comp level. I have found that most hosts will try to “stretch” to offer comps to new players even if their amount of play is on the borderline of their casino comp policy. And even if you don’t score a comp right then, you will get some information from the host so you will know how much you need to play to get them in the future.

Like any job, $65k (or whatever they make) is an AVERAGE. Too often, people see that money and think that's what they're going to make on Day 1. Yes, some people will make $30k as a host. Others will make $200k. What Are Casino Hosts? Many casinos, especially the larger ones, employ a team of casino hosts whose sole job is to make players happy and assist them in getting the most out of their experience with the casino, within reason, and sometimes even beyond reason depending on the value of the player.

Jean Scott is one of the country’s most renowned and successful gamblers and has appeared on many TV shows, including 48 Hours, where Dan Rather gave her the nickname of Queen of Comps. Her first book, The Frugal Gambler, has been a best-seller for nine years. She also wrote a sequel, More Frugal Gambling, as well as a tax guide for gamblers. Her Web site is www.queenofcomps.com

The word “comp” is short for “complimentary.” In the gambling industry, comps are free stuff you get from casinos and other gambling companies to incentivize you to gamble with them. Generally, you get more comps based on how much you’re gambling.

Dec 18, 2019 An experienced Executive Casino Host with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $52,567 based on 32 salaries. In their late career (20 years and higher), employees earn an average total compensation of $66,129.
Aug 05, 2014 A tip to the host can help you get into tournaments and other events that you might be marginally qualified for. You don't need to tip a lot. Personally, I like to make a $110 sports bet on the host's favorite team and hand him the ticket, emphasizing it will pay $210 if it wins.
The average Executive Casino Host salary in Mississippi is $49,077 as of November 25, 2019, but the range typically falls between $37,889 and $75,280. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.

When discussing comps, it helps to understand the expression “action.” Being “in action” just means that you have money riding on a bet of any kind.

But “action” also refers to the amount of money you have wagered. It can refer to the amount of money you wager over a period of time, too.

For example, if you’re playing slot machines and betting $1 every time you spin the reels, you’re putting $1 into action every time you spin. If you make 600 spins per hour, then you’ve put $600/hour into action.

Based on the odds behind the game and the payout odds, casinos can estimate the long-term expected losses based on your hourly action. They can then calculate a percentage of that to return to you in the form of comps.

When you’re dealing with traditional land casinos, if you bring much action to the casino at all, you’ll be assigned a casino host. This is the person at the casino responsible for keeping you happy so that you don’t take your action elsewhere. Comps are the main tool a host uses to keep you happy.

Of course, not everyone has a host. You can also get comps almost automatically by signing up for the players’ club and inserting the card into the machines as you play. Pit bosses also have the authority to reward you with comps when you’re playing table games. In fact, the simplest and most common type of comp is the free drink. As long as you look like you’re playing a slot machine, a cocktail waitress will bring you free drinks all night. (She’ll be more attentive if you tip her well, though.)

This post explains the different kinds of gambling comps and what they mean to you as a gambler.

The Different Kinds of Comps Available

Comps are awarded in a hierarchy based on your value to the casino. The most basic comp is the free drink. Casinos have multiple motivations for gving you free drinks.

For one thing, a gambler who’s inebriated has lower inhibitions. He’s more likely to gamble more money longer. And the #1 factor affecting how much profit a casino makes from a gambler is the amount of time he spends playing.

That’s because casino games have an innate mathematical edge. This edge doesn’t have a huge effect in the short term, because in the short term, anything can happen. But the law of large numbers suggests that the more bets you make, the closer your actual results become to the theoretical results.

Here’s an example:

The mathematical expectation at blackjack is for you to lose roughly 1% of each bet you make on average over time. (This assumes you’re using basic strategy while you play.) That means the casino expects you to lose an average of $1 every time you place a $100 bet.

In the short run, that’s impossible. If you place a single bet at blackjack—which is the ultimate example of the short term—it’s impossible to lose $1 on a single $100 bet. You’ll lose $100, win $100, or win $150 most of the time. If you double down or split, you might win more–$200, $300, or even $400 wins are possible. You might also face a “push,” which is a tie. Your bet is returned, but you don’t win any money… that’s a loss or win of $0.

None of those outcomes come even close to a loss of $1.

That $1 loss is an average over time–over a huge number of bets. If you make 10,000 bets at $100 each, you’re likely to lose close to $10,000. Even with that many bets, it’s possible to deviate wildly from the mathematical expectation.

If you’re the casino, you want to get into the large number range as soon and as often as possible. This ensures your profit. The way to do this is to get players to make lots of bets for lots of money.

How Much A Casino Host Makes