Casino comps explained: how casinos decide what you get
Comps are rewards paid from your expected loss, not your actual result. Bet size, speed of play, hours and the game’s edge set the number.
Reviewed Oct 14, 2026
Answer first
90s- 1
Join the players club
Free sign-up at the club desk with photo ID. You get a card or an app ID.
- 2
Get rated
Insert the card at slots, or hand it to the dealer when you sit at a table.
- 3
Build theoretical loss
The system logs average bet, time and game. That sets your “theo”.
- 4
Redeem
Points, free play, meals and rooms come from a share of that theo.
Key numbers
The comp formula
In short
Key takeaways
- Casinos reward expected loss, not wins or losses. A lucky night earns the same comps as an unlucky one with the same play.
- Slots usually generate more theo per hour than tables because they are faster and carry a higher edge.
- Ask before you play how points convert. Clubs differ a lot on free play, food credit and tier rules.
- Never raise your bets to earn comps. Each dollar of comp typically costs several dollars of expected loss.
Example theo by game
| Game | Average bet × speed | Edge | Theo for 2 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackjack (good rules) | $25 × 70 hands | 0.5–1% | $17.50–$35 |
| Baccarat | $50 × 70 hands | 1.1% | $77 |
| Craps (pass line) | $15 × 30 rolls | 1.41% | $12.70 |
| Roulette (00) | $10 × 40 spins | 5.26% | $42 |
| Slots ($1 reel) | $3 × 600 spins | 7% | $252 |
| Video poker (9/6) | $1.25 × 700 hands | 0.5% | $8.75 |
Speeds and edges are typical figures used by casino hosts. Your club’s exact numbers are not published.
Playbook · Beginner
How to get more from the same play
Tip 01
Always use the card
Unrated play earns nothing. Insert it before the first spin or hand.
Tip 02
Consolidate trips
Status tiers reward total play over a year. Splitting across brands slows progress.
Tip 03
Ask for the rate
Ask the host or club desk what an hour at your bet earns.
Tip 04
Use offers in the app
Mailers and app offers often beat point redemptions in value.
Tip 05
Ask, politely
Hosts can approve a meal or room for rated players. A simple request often works.
Floor rules
Players club terms
Know before you sit
- Theo
- Theoretical loss: what the casino expects your play to cost on average.
- Reinvestment rate
- The share of theo the casino gives back in comps.
- Tier credit
- Points that count toward status levels such as gold or platinum.
- Free play
- Credit for slots that must be played through once before cashing out.
- Rated play
- Table play logged by the floor supervisor with your average bet and time.
A worked example
You play $10 blackjack for three hours at about 70 hands an hour. That is $2,100 wagered. With a 1% edge your theo is $21.
At a 25% reinvestment rate, the casino would return about $5 in comps. That may cover coffee, not dinner. Bigger comps follow bigger theo, which means bigger expected losses.
Free play is the comp most players see first. It usually needs one play-through before winnings are cash, so $20 of free play is worth a little less than $20.
Keep reading
Related pages
Go play
Where to play in Las Vegas
Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, parking, loyalty, floor facts). Sorted by published table units when we have them — confirm on property.
Open a casino page
Real listings · not adsAfter the 90 seconds
Questions before and after you play
A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.
01How comps work
How do casinos calculate comps?
They estimate theoretical loss: average bet × decisions per hour × hours played × house edge. A $25 blackjack player for 4 hours at 70 hands an hour and a 1% edge has a theo of $70. The casino then returns a share, often 10–40%, as comps.
Do you get more comps if you lose?
At most casinos, no. Comps follow expected loss, so a winning and losing player with the same play earn the same. Some hosts weigh actual losses for discretionary offers, but the core formula ignores results.
How much do I need to bet to get a free room?
It depends on the property and day. On the Las Vegas Strip, weekend rooms can need several hundred dollars of daily theo. Off-Strip and regional casinos often send free room offers to steady low-limit slot players.
Are slot comps better than table comps?
Slots earn more theo per hour because they are faster and carry a higher edge, so they earn comps faster. They also cost you more per hour. Video poker earns less per hour because its edge is low.
What is a casino host?
A casino employee who manages rated players. Hosts can approve rooms, meals and event tickets based on your play history. You usually get one after steady play at higher limits or by asking at the club desk.
02Using rewards
Do casino points expire?
Many clubs expire points or tier status after a period with no play, often 6 to 12 months. The rules are in the club terms. Playing once or redeeming a small amount usually resets the clock.
03More questions
What counts as a comp?
Free play, meals, rooms, show tickets, parking, airfare and event invites can all be comps. Some arrive as offers in the app or mail, others are approved by a host on the spot. Each is priced against your theoretical loss.
Do online casinos give comps?
Licensed online casinos run loyalty programs that award points per dollar wagered. Many link to the land casino’s club, so online play can count toward rooms and meals. The rules are in each program’s terms.
Sources
- UNLV Center for Gaming Research — Casino marketing papers Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Research on comps and reinvestment
- Nevada Gaming Control Board — Regulation 5 operations · accessed Oct 14, 2026Rules for promotions and complimentaries
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
- American Gaming Association — Industry research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Casino industry data and reports