Source:www.jomon.ne.jp

Ho boy, do they ever, not often but when they do get humped, it's for a bunch.

I'm not talking about the bogus slot gamblers who manage to rig machines, although a skilled operator could make quite a haul. Those people are largely out of the game because of increasingly sophisticated machines, and ever watchful security personnel.

No, it's the "whales" who can really stick it to a casino when they skip out on a multi-million dollar marker.

All the big casinos court the "whales" or "high rollers" as they used to be called. It's a bragging point, and an opportunity for a casino to make a killing, all within minutes depending on a roll of the dice or the turn of a card.

In a way it's what gambling used to be all about, the two biggest guys, money-wise, on the block, betting it all, just to show everyone that they had balls.

Here's an article about some classic whale bail outs.

That's why the average gambler can still expect to be treated well, even by the most upscale casinos. These guys know which side their bread is buttered on; and it's the day to day small to medium bankrolled gambler that keeps these places going.

No, you're not going to get a comp for a thousand dollar a night room for betting a couple of hundred, but you'll get your free drinks and buffet pass.

Of course if you do hit a decent jackpot, a few thousand for example then you will be treated to some goodies that are really worthwhile, like a room upgrade, show tickets, and a steakhouse dinner.

This isn't out of the goodness of the casino's heart of course, they want you to hang around and lose some of your winnings.

Whether you do, or take the money home for another day, is up to you however.

Here's a story about a problem that existed years ago, and cost Strip casinos as much as a half million bucks per night! It's over now, and part of Las Vegas' colorful history.