Part V: Regional & Cultural · Casino Slang & Historical Terms

Comp (Complimentary)

Industry — MarketingREPORTED

(1) Any goods or services provided free of charge or at reduced cost by the casino to a player as a reinvestment incentive based on their gaming activity. Comps include rooms, meals, beverages, spa services, entertainment tickets, transportation, and other amenities. The fundamental purpose of comps is not to reward past play but to incent future visitation and increased gaming activity: comps are a marketing expense, not a reward. Comp authorization is governed by strict guidelines (comp matrices) that correlate comp value to player ADT or actual loss. Excessive comping relative to player value is a significant profit risk and a focus of management controls. (2) A “comp” (complimentary) is any free good or service provided by a casino to a player as an incentive for their patronage. Comps include hotel rooms, meals, show tickets, transportation, retail merchandise, and cash rebates. The value of comps is determined by a player’s theoretical win or actual loss. In Asian markets, comps for VIP players can include private jet transfers, luxury watches, and high-end liquor. The comp system is a fundamental marketing tool that builds player loyalty and extends gaming sessions.

In practice

The evolution of comp philosophy is important: modern operators view comps as a calculated reinvestment of a percentage of theoretical win rather than a discretionary gratuity. Asian VIP comp programs are among the most generous in the world. Macau junkets historically offered cash rebates of 1.1-1.25% of rolling chip turnover, effectively reducing the house edge for VIP players to near zero.

One entry from the Casino Industry Glossary, 1,090 terms written for surveillance, compliance and operations professionals rather than for players. Definitions describe industry usage; where a term carries a regulatory meaning, verify against the instrument that governs your jurisdiction.