While the main casino floor is filled with casual tourists playing penny slots, a completely different world exists behind closed doors.

The competition to attract a legitimate 'Whale' is incredibly fierce, with resorts offering jaw-dropping perks just to get them in the door.

What Separates a High Roller from a Whale?

A standard 'High Roller' might bring $50,000 to $100,000 to Vegas, expecting a nice suite and free dinners.

There are estimated to be fewer than 500 legitimate whales operating globally, primarily wealthy businessmen from Asia and the Middle East.

• A 'Premium Mass' player is a newer term for wealthy tourists who bet large amounts but don't quite reach the multi-million dollar whale status
• Credit lines (markers) extended to whales are often secured by massive international real estate holdings or corporate assets
• The stress on the casino executives is immense when a whale is playing, as a $10 million loss can severely impact the bottom line

The Extravagant Life of a Casino VIP

To ensure the whale loses their money at their specific property, the casino will cover absolutely all expenses for their entire entourage.

The philosophy is simple: keep the player completely happy and entirely inside the building so they continue to gamble.

The world of the casino whale is a fascinating study in extreme wealth and the lengths corporations will go to capture it.