High Rollers: Who Are The Whales Of The Casino World?

While the main casino floor is filled with casual tourists playing penny slots, a completely different world exists behind closed doors.


To attract these massive bankrolls, casinos employ dedicated VIP hosts whose entire job is to cater to their every whim.

What Separates a High Roller from a Whale?

A standard 'High Roller' might bring $50,000 to $100,000 to Vegas, expecting a nice suite and free dinners.


Because their bankrolls are so massive, a single whale can drastically alter the quarterly earnings report of an entire casino corporation.

Casinos use private jets to fly whales in from around the world, completely free of charge, just to secure their businessThe VIP host must know everything about the whale, from their favorite rare scotch to their preferred brand of cigarWhen a whale arrives, the casino essentially bends the rules of reality to ensure they never experience a single moment of inconvenience
What Do Casinos Give Away to High Rollers?

To ensure the whale loses their money at their specific property, the casino will cover absolutely all expenses for their entire entourage.


The philosophy is simple: keep the player completely happy and entirely inside the building so they continue to gamble.

Business MetricRisk to the CasinoReward to the CasinoVolatilityMassive (Whale could win millions and leave)Huge quarterly profit if the math plays out and the whale losesHosting CostsSpending $50,000 on flights and food upfrontSecuring millions in theoretical expected loss

The world of the casino whale is a fascinating study in extreme wealth and the lengths corporations will go to capture it.