How do you tip at a casino?

By MARY PEREZ
meperez@sunherald.com

GULFPORT --

Tipping is part of the game at the casinos, but who should you tip and how much?

Some patrons at Island View Casino in Gulfport said most people tip the cocktail servers, but fewer people tip the housekeeping staff. Several patrons were unsure of how much to tip.

Shift manager Glenn Raley said dealers and cocktail servers depend on tips to pump up their take-home pay. Though most people know they should tip food and beverage servers, "The dealers get tipped all different ways," he said, with no set percentage and sometimes in chips. Many people don't realize a tip is customary, he said, until they see others tipping.

Alan Silver, director of casino studies at the Coast campus of Tulane University, said there are guidelines for tipping but like other casino patrons, he gives what he feels is fair.

"The biggest thing we push is customer service," said Raley, and when customers are happy, tips follow.

Here's a look at tipping from the point of view of employees and casino customers:

Valet parking: Jeremy Bammert said a good minimum tip is $2 and it is usually given when the car is picked up. The biggest tip he received was $20, and he averages about five $5 tips per day.

A customer from Florida said she pays $1 to the valet. Silver said he often gives $1 when he drops off the car and $2 when he picks it back up.

Bellhop: Patrick McLean said almost everyone gives a tip and the best he ever received was $60. For groups, a tip of $2 to $4 per bag is often surcharged. He believes a flat tip of $5 is fair.

A customer from Texas said she usually pays $2 per bag.

Cocktail server: "The norm is $1," said Lori Bartz, although some people admit they don't know how tipping works. "The beverages are complimentary," she tells them and said about 60 percent of her patrons tip. Her biggest tip was $200, but she's received as little as three cents.

A customer from Waveland said he generally tips about $5 per drink.

Bartender: Quinton Cooley said, "Every time I give a drink I get a dollar," which he feels is a sufficient tip. Regulars always tip and about 75 percent of his other customers tip.

A patron from Gulfport said if he hit a jackpot at the video poker at the bar he would leave a big tip. Otherwise he gives $1.

Dealer: Craps dealer Chris Bartman said, "We provide a service for the guest. We entertain them." How much they tip for that service is up to them. Those who play for awhile often tip more than once. His highest tip was $1,000 from an individual and $5,000 from a group. Some players make bets for the dealer as their tip. Others don't tip when they lose, he said.