Wynn Wants His Dealers to Share Their Tips

Filed in archive Casinos on August 24, 2006

Steve Wynn is no stranger in trying to shake up things in Vegas - and this time, its his employees that may have cause to grumble.

Casino dealers make minimum wages and huge tips. Thats how they tend to survive in Vegas. However, Wynn has decided that his dealers will now have to start sharing their tips with the rest of the team.

Currently, if a dealer is tipped $1000 they get to keep it. With Wynn's new deal, $400 will go to the pit boss and other floor managers. Some high limit table dealers can earn up to $100,000 per year in tips - but this is set to decrease with these new rules.

The reason for the change? Many dealers don't want promotions to floor managers because they'd lose their extra income. Wynn reckons this anomaly needs to change. Many dealers don't agree.
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he decision hasn't gone down well says casino gaming School's Nick Kallos, who has been in the casino industry for 30 years.

"They were shocked, they were unhappy, they were very disappointed. Steve Wynn normally does everything first class. I think he missed on this, my own opinion, I think he missed on this deal," he says.

He says this could become standard practice at high-limit tables. According to dealers at they Wynn who declined to appear on camera, six dealers were suspended because they complained and one was fired. The new tip sharing policy discourages dealers like Crystal Rivera from wanting to work there.

"I wouldn't be apt to work as hard knowing that they are going to take a percentage," she says.

But Wynn is betting there are plenty that will take their place. One casino employee said Wynn has dozens of what are called "shoppers" at the tables looking for disgruntled dealers to fire.

Article: Steve Wynn Changes Rules on Casino Tips