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and patterns among various hotel groups. It revealed that offering digital tipping increases associates’ weekly take-home pay by up to $375. What a huge benefit for casino hotel workers, servers, valet parking attendants and additional employees interacting with the public. Other highlights include: • Guests were 15% more likely to leave a tip from 2023 to 2024.
• Half of those tipping guests leave at least $10.
While all that sounds great, hustle and good service still makes the private sector thrive. The mediocre will lag behind the “movers” for good tips… and they should. Employees in service industries have to work at their jobs, not just show up for their shifts. The new Trump White House plans to streamline the government by chipping away at waste and unproductive spending. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies are also on the chopping block for government workers. I agree with both goals. Simply put, the operating mission of DEI ensures that diversity and inclusion, plus guaranteeing equitability, are major criteria for employment.
Last spring, I wrote three features about DEI in gaming. I could barely get anyone to speak to me and most of the information came from Bally’s and Draft Kings. I later advocated replacing “equity” with a demand for “excellence.” Having a diverse and inclusive workforce is a noble goal, but merit is crucial when hiring. Frequently, employing people due to their personal features over personal talents ultimately fails.
Will scrapping the income taxes on tips really have such a positive impact? Yes, according to Hotel Business. It recently released its “Harnessing Tipping Data to Empower and Motivate Hospitality Workers” report from engagement and retention software provider Shiny. This was Shiny’s second annual survey on hospitality tipping. The software analyzed tipping behaviors
The 48-page Dismantle DEI Act of 2024 had enough support to advance through Congress by November. Its purpose? “To ensure equal protection of the law,” and to “prevent racism in the Federal Government.”
If Trump succeeds, companies seeking federal contracts and grants would be barred from using DEI practices. The proactive coalition pushing for the Act
contend that “racism” can occur in many directions and must be totally erased. Ironically, that was the purpose of the original 1965 civil rights laws passed during the Lyndon B. Johnson presidential years. They criminalized discrimination of any kind, based on race, sex, religion or ethnicity. Most recently, the AGA has
enthusiastically advocated the DEI model. Industry-wide, employment totals surpass specific racial and ethnic population percentages.
In 2025, that formula may change. Voting to maintain policies that create a “politically correct employment pool” fell far short with most voters. Instead, they chose to focus on leaders whose efforts would deal with their “kitchen table” economic issues. As of now, dozens of America’s largest corporations and universities are scrapping their DEI departments, gender studies and equity programs. Will casino companies follow suit? We live in interesting times, so we will have to wait to see how this all plays out in 2025.
Sharon Harris
Sharon has worked in the casino and coin- operated amusement industries since the 1980s. In the early 1990s, Sharon transferred her public relations and journalism skills to the gaming industry. She wrote her first feature for Casino International predecessor EUROSLOT magazine in 1994.
As Associate Editor, North America for Casino International, Sharon has chronicled the explosive growth of U.S. gaming and reported on its most significant changes. She has traveled across America to participate in dozens of industry events and has interviewed
hundreds of gaming operators,
executives and suppliers.
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