An off-the-strip casino is proposing a new tip-out policy for table game dealers in an apparent effort to attract more highly skilled employees.
However, some dealers at Rio Las Vegas are skeptical that the changes will benefit them, and they wonder why this particular policy is rarely used in the industry.
According to an internal memo shared with the Review-Journal, Rio is implementing a 50/50 Toke split for all table game dealers. Under the new policy, dealers will keep 50 percent of the tips, or Tokes, earned at their table. The other 50 percent will be pooled and split evenly among all dealers who worked within the given 24-hour period.
Currently, Rio dealers collect all tips within a 24-hour period, and the money is split. These tips are documented, taxed and included in the employee’s paycheck along with their hourly rate.
The new policy took effect Friday.
The Rio Management memo said the 50/50 Toke Split is “better” because it “ensures everyone has a fair and reliable income, encourages teamwork, and helps us all provide a better and more consistent experience for our guests.”
“This strategy strengthens our team and keeps us competitive in a changing market,” the memo reads.
The Review-Journal asked to speak with someone from Rio about the changes. In response, an external PR firm issued the following statement:
“At Rio, we believe in creating an environment where everyone is treated fairly, teamwork is rewarded and the benefits of hard work are shared fairly. We decided to change our TOKE distribution policy to ensure greater fairness, transparency and the continued success of our team members. “
Several Rio Table dealers said they don’t understand how these changes will help them. The retailers who spoke to the Review-Journal spoke on condition of anonymity because they feared their jobs could be in jeopardy for speaking out.
A Rio employee, who has dealt in Las Vegas casinos since the early 80s, said vaguely, “I’ve never heard of this, at least not anywhere I’ve ever worked.”
“They seem to feel they’re going to get better dealers coming in if some people hear they’re going to be able to keep their money across the table, but nobody’s going to show up for a 50/50 cut,” said the veteran dealer.
Another longtime dealer reported a “mixed” response among Rio dealers.
“Some (people) don’t know better but some games do more than others. So the top games will go to whoever the scheduler assigns,” they said, adding that the system opens up the possibility for dealers to “kick back” money to the scheduler in exchange for better table assignments.
Rio dealers are not represented by a union, so some of the employees said they felt the property’s management was taking advantage of desperate workers who won’t push back because they fear losing their jobs.
“(This) is open to corruption … (and) someone will abuse their power,” another dealer told the Review-Journal.
The Rio is operated by Dreamscape, a New York City-based company that purchased the property for $516 million in 2019. Under an agreement with the Rio’s former owner/operator, Caesars Entertainment, Dreamscape did not take full control of the property until October 2023.
Dreamscape is investing nearly $350 million in the property, which has included remodeling nearly 1,500 hotel rooms, refreshing the 117,000-square-foot casino floor and debuting several new dining concepts and a six-outlet food court that took the place of the buffet.
Contact David Danzis at ddanzis@ theplayerlounge.com or 702-383-0378. Follow @ac2vegas-danzis.bsky.social.
