Handling money at a casino involves more than just bringing cash. From ATM fees to casino credit lines, understanding your payment options helps you avoid unnecessary costs and manage your gambling budget effectively.
Cash: The Casino Standard
Why Cash Dominates
Cash remains king at casinos for several reasons:
- Table games require chips: You can't swipe a card at a blackjack table
- Faster transactions: No authorization delays
- Budget control: Physical cash creates natural spending limits
- Privacy: Cash transactions don't appear on statements
How Much Cash to Bring
Bring your predetermined gambling budget in cash:
- Separate it from money you need for food, drinks, and transportation
- Keep cash in a secure location (front pocket, money clip, hotel safe)
- Consider bringing smaller denominations for tips
Getting Cash at the Casino
If you need more cash while at the casino, you have several options:
Casino ATMs:
- Located throughout the gaming floor
- High fees: $5-10 per transaction plus your bank's fees
- May have lower withdrawal limits than regular ATMs
- Convenient but expensive
Casino Cage:
- Cash advances against credit cards
- Higher fees than ATMs (3-5% of amount)
- Interest starts immediately (no grace period)
- Counts as cash advance, not purchase
Outside ATMs:
- Hotel lobby ATMs may have lower fees
- Nearby bank ATMs minimize fees
- Worth the walk to save $5-10 per transaction
Tip: Plan Ahead
Withdraw cash from your own bank before your trip. The $8 ATM fee adds up quickly if you make multiple withdrawals.
Converting Cash to Chips
At Table Games
- Wait for a break between hands
- Place cash on the table (never hand it to the dealer)
- Say "Change, please" or "Changing [amount]"
- Dealer announces the amount and exchanges for chips
You can convert any amount, though buying in for at least 20 times the minimum bet is recommended.
At the Cage
For larger amounts or specific denominations:
- Approach any cashier window
- Present your cash
- Request chip denominations you want
- You may need to show ID for large transactions
Chip Denominations and Colors
Standard casino chip values:
| Color | Value |
|---|---|
| White | $1 |
| Red | $5 |
| Green | $25 |
| Black | $100 |
| Purple | $500 |
| Orange/Yellow | $1,000 |
| Gray/Brown | $5,000+ |
Colors vary by casino, but these are most common. High-denomination chips ($5,000+) often have unique designs and RFID tracking.
Converting Chips to Cash
At the Cage
- Bring your chips to the cashier
- Place them on the counter
- Receive cash
For amounts over $10,000, you'll need to provide ID and complete tax documentation (IRS requirement).
Coloring Up
Before leaving a table, ask the dealer to "color up"—exchange smaller chips for larger denominations. This makes carrying chips to the cage easier.
Slot Machine Payments
Inserting Money
Modern slot machines accept:
- Bills ($1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100)
- Tickets (TITO - Ticket In, Ticket Out)
- Some accept coins (becoming rare)
Insert bills face-up into the bill acceptor. The machine displays your credit balance.
Cashing Out
Press "Cash Out" or "Collect" to receive a TITO ticket with your balance. Take the ticket to:
- The cashier cage for cash
- A ticket redemption kiosk (for amounts under $500-1,000)
- Insert into another slot machine to continue playing
Jackpots and Hand Pays
For wins over $1,200 (federal tax reporting threshold):
- Machine locks and displays "Call Attendant"
- Slot attendant verifies the win
- You provide ID for tax documentation
- Payment by check for very large amounts
- The casino withholds 24% for federal taxes on wins over $5,000
Credit Cards at Casinos
Limited Direct Use
Credit cards cannot be used to:
- Buy chips directly at tables
- Fund slot machine play
- Place sports bets (in most jurisdictions)
Cash Advances
You can get casino cash advances against credit cards:
- Done at the cage or ATMs
- High fees (3-5% or flat fee, whichever is higher)
- Interest accrues immediately at cash advance rates (often 25%+)
- No grace period like regular purchases
- Affects your credit utilization
Recommendation: Avoid credit card cash advances. The fees and interest make them extremely expensive.
Resort Charges
Credit cards work normally for:
- Hotel rooms
- Restaurant purchases
- Show tickets
- Spa services
- Retail shopping
Debit Cards
ATM Withdrawals
Debit cards at casino ATMs:
- Casino ATM fee: $5-10
- Your bank's out-of-network fee: $2-5
- Total: $7-15 per withdrawal
Point of Sale
Some casinos allow debit card purchases at the cage:
- Usually requires PIN entry
- May have lower fees than ATM withdrawal
- Daily limits apply
Digital Wallets and Mobile Payments
Casino Apps
Many casinos offer mobile apps with wallet features:
MGM Rewards App:
- Mobile check-in
- Digital room key
- Restaurant reservations
- Some mobile payment features
Caesars Rewards App:
- Account management
- Offer tracking
- Limited payment features
Slot Machine Mobile Payments
Some newer slot machines accept:
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Casino-specific digital wallets
Availability varies widely by casino and machine.
Sports Betting Apps
Mobile sports betting (where legal) typically accepts:
- Debit cards
- Bank transfers (ACH)
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Play+ prepaid cards
- Cash deposits at casino cage
Credit cards are often blocked from funding sports betting accounts.
Casino Credit (Markers)
What Is a Marker?
A marker is essentially a casino loan—a line of credit you can draw against while gambling. It's an interest-free loan if repaid on time.
How to Apply
- Complete a credit application at the cage
- Provide bank account information
- Authorize the casino to verify your account
- Casino establishes a credit line based on your average balance
Using Markers
Once approved:
- Request a marker at any table or the cage
- Sign for the amount
- Receive chips
- Marker becomes due when you leave (or within 30-45 days)
Repaying Markers
Pay markers by:
- Cash at the cage
- Chips at the cage
- Casino debits your bank account after departure
Important: Unpaid markers can result in:
- Collection efforts
- Criminal charges in some states (Nevada treats unpaid markers as bad checks)
- Damage to your credit
Who Should Use Markers?
Markers make sense for players who:
- Gamble regularly at one casino
- Prefer not to carry large amounts of cash
- Can reliably cover the credit line
- Have the discipline to pay promptly
They're not for casual gamblers or anyone struggling with gambling budgets.
Foreign Currency
Exchanging Currency
Most major casinos offer currency exchange:
- Available at the cage
- Exchange rates are unfavorable compared to banks
- Limited currencies accepted
Better Options
- Exchange currency before your trip
- Use ATMs for local currency (watch for fees)
- Credit cards often offer better exchange rates for purchases
Tax Considerations
Reporting Requirements
Casinos must report:
- Slot jackpots of $1,200+
- Keno wins of $1,500+
- Table game wins of $600+ (at 300:1 odds or greater)
- Any cash transaction of $10,000+
You'll receive a W-2G form for reportable wins.
Currency Transaction Reports
Cash transactions of $10,000+ in a single day trigger a Currency Transaction Report (CTR). This includes:
- Cash in
- Cash out
- Chip purchases
- Check cashing
Structuring transactions to avoid this reporting is illegal.
Protecting Your Money
At the Casino
- Don't flash large amounts of cash
- Use the hotel safe for cash you're not gambling
- Be aware of your surroundings at ATMs and cages
- Keep chips secure (don't leave them unattended)
Leaving the Casino
- Color up chips before leaving tables
- Cash out before leaving the property
- Don't walk to your car with visible chips or large cash amounts
- Consider security escort for large amounts (casinos provide this)
The Bottom Line
Cash remains the simplest payment method at casinos. Bring what you plan to gamble, avoid high-fee ATM withdrawals, and never use credit card cash advances.
For regular gamblers, casino credit (markers) can be convenient but requires discipline. For everyone else, the best approach is straightforward: bring cash, set a budget, and stick to it.