I’m not being dramatic when I say becoming a hosted player was one of the best things to ever happen to me. Ok, maybe that is a little dramatic, but when I think about all the perks that come along with being assigned host, it seems like all my money lost might actually be worth it.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I am at peace with losing my gambling budget because I am in it for the thrill of it. Instead of setting money aside to go to the movies or hang out at a bar, I save my entertainment budget for the casino. When that predetermined budget gets combined with some hosting magic, it is a very good day.
While the hosting magic looks a little different depending on where you go and your budget, all hosts have the same basic job function, which is to keep players engaged at their property.
Hosts can deploy a variety of tactics to keep guests happy with their particular property, including offering up the aforementioned perks. These added casino benefits come in a variety of flavors, almost always based on your play (more on that below), like a comped dinner, tickets to a show, or a surprise room upgrade.
When thinking about how to showcase hosts and how they function, I decided to have a chat with my host at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. I have a long history with this property and have made relationships with nearly everyone on their host team. I asked my specific host, Nicole Osborne, a few questions to gain a deeper understanding of the role of a host and how this became her career.
Nicole, an Executive Casino Host, is originally from the pacific northwest, Washington State to be exact, and has cut her teeth in a variety of high pressure casino positions. She first arrived in Vegas in 2006, working in the food and beverage field on The Strip. From there, Nicole took her own advice and ditched The Strip for Downtown, where she scored a job as a hostess at Oscar’s Steakhouse. Nicole quickly started making a name for herself, moving into a role at the Front Desk shortly there after. Still in her early twenties, Nicole continued her career advancement, working her way up to becoming a Front Desk Lead & Supervisor.
Despite not having any true gaming experience, Plaza’s management thought of Nicole when a position opened up on the casino team, and the rest is history! Read on below to learn more about what it means to be a host and how you can go about seeing if you qualify for one.
“Both our GM and Jonathan [Jossel] saw something in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself. I’m forever grateful they did, because I’ve come to love my job, my team, my guests and the opportunities I’ve been given over the years. It’s been an incredible journey of growth, and learning.”
Nicole
What is the role of a host?
Nicole: As your casino host, I’m your go-to person to ensure you have the best experience possible during your time with us. My role is all about taking care of you from making sure you receive your complimentary perks, like room stays, meals, and events tickets, to keeping you informed about exciting property events. Whether it’s handling special requests, planning your stay, or just making sure everything runs smoothly, I’m here to make your visit enjoyable, seamless, and memorable.
Courtney: I first linked up with Nicole when she was in the host office when my husband and I popped in unexpectedly. I asked her if we could keep our bags in the host office since we came right from the airport and we began to chitchat. Nicole quickly caught on that I was a pretty serious player and she looked up my account. I was assigned to a different host at the time, but Nicole works during the day, which better aligns with my gambling style. Nicole also understands that traveling alone as a woman can be a little sketchy at times, so she started setting up a car service to pick me up at the airport.
The true excitement came after Rudies Weekend 2025, when Nicole offered me my first set of complimentary concert tickets to see none other than Lady Gaga.
Who qualifies for a host and how is that assigned?
Nicole: This varies from property to property, but generally this is based on your average daily play. We look at factors like the amount of time you spend playing, the games you play, and your overall betting activity.
Courtney: This is another reason why using a Players Card matters! The cards are logging all of your activity. This activity, whether classified as “good” or “bad,” is all considered by the property’s host team.
Pro-tip: If, for whatever reason, you know you are going to be betting significantly lower than your traditional bet size consider *not* using your card for that session. A lower bet size will lower your average bet – this can be significant depending on the difference!
What are some benefits of being hosted?
Nicole: You’re getting the value, convenience, and personal touch to help make your experience enjoyable, including offer perks, additional comps and exclusive offers for VIP events.
Courtney: I love feeling like I have a safety net while traveling. Nicole is there in case something goes wrong. For example, when I was staying at the Plaza for G2E, I accidentally broke a lamp in my room. This was the first time I have ever broken anything in a hotel and I was terrified I was going to get in trouble. I promptly confessed to Nicole and all was well. (I did leave cash and snacks for housekeeping to make up for the mess.)
What can someone do to better their chances of being hosted?
Nicole: If you’re playing on your player’s card, it’s always a good idea to stop by and speak with a host at your home casino. Every property has different systems and host roles, so you might already qualify to be set up with one. It never hurts to ask and get information.
With most casinos looking at a daily average, I would suggest being mindful of the time you’re playing and how that is adjusted on arrival and departure days. Shorter sessions definitely impact this.
Courtney: I have no shame when it comes to gambling… at least when it comes to asking for a host. The worst that can happen is they say “no.”
If someone is hosted at a different casino, can they request to be hosted at a new casino based on the other casino’s comps?
Nicole: We get this a lot with guests wanting to move downtown from the strip. I’m happy to review the current offers guests are getting. It allows me a little insight on the gaming expectations from a new player, and go over what we can offer similar to the offer, allowing the guest to have an enjoyable stay while transitioning from one to another.
Courtney: If making a switch to a different property, I would recommend bringing physical copies of your most recent casino offers. This will help hosts like Nicole quickly see what you are being offered and where you play. I would also recommend getting a player’s card and playing a little at your normal bet size before asking this question to a new host. Having play on your file will help them understand your play style more than just their competitor’s mailers.
When should a player ask a host to review their play for comps?
Nicole: I like to do this at the end of the stay to be sure the player is getting the most back.
Courtney: I usually check up on my play twice during a visit. I check in about midway through, and the question typically sounds like “how is my play looking?” Yes, it is that simple. Nicole knows that my goal is to stay at my current level of benefits or better. I want to make sure I still get offered tickets to concerts and invites to special events.
The second time I ask is right before I leave. I check on my play, double confirm my airport transfer for the next day, and thank the team for all their help during my visit.
Are hosts allowed to accept tips?
Nicole: I’d say check with your host. Some companies don’t allow cash tips and some do.
Courtney: Something important to keep in mind when building a relationship with a host is to treat them with mutual respect and appreciation. Yes, being a host is their job but 1) it isn’t hard to show appreciation and 2) take care of those that care of you.
Not all casinos allow their casino hosts to accept cash tips, but at The Plaza, they can. If you are staying and playing at a property that does not allow cash tipping, ask about things like gift cards or delicacies from your home like regional candy. For tipping, always consider what was provided as an extra benefit by the host. Think about how long you were on property, if transportation was provided, any comped meals, and gifted swag. I always make sure to reserve at least one $100 bill for my host.
