Wynn Vegas Dealers In Uproar

A new policy went into effect last month when Wynn Resorts Ltd Chairman Steve Wynn told all table game workers that a portion of dealer tips would now be given to table game supervisors. Though common sense would lead those on the outside to believe supervisors were actually paid more than dealers, when averaging in tips there was a significant inequity between the two groups. While supervisors were bringing in an average of $60,000, the dealers -- who are the highest paid in Las Vegas -- were in many instances clearing $100,000 according to Wynn Las Vegas President Andrew Pascal.

The new system means to level the paying field so the salaries would be more equal. Under the more equitable distribution scheme, dealers would rake in about $90,000 a year, while supervisors would see a more than a 50 percent bump in income to $95,000.

The change will affect those working at Wynn Las Vegas’ 140 table games, including baccarat. Pascal said there are about 820 table game employees that work in those positions.

However, some dealers who work at Wynn disagree. According to posts on casinodealers.net, when the new formula is factored in, dealers think they could make as much as $20,000 a year lower.  They also see their income dropping by 20 percent or more rather than the 10 percent Pascal predicted.

According to one post on casinodealers.net, Wynn would like to move entirely to a system without tipping. “Wynn just thinks his dealers are making too much money for what they do… I believe he wants a tokeless casino,” noted the post.

Another employee said he is worried about being able to keep his home. “To my wife and I, it will be surely catastrophic. As we have been merely scraping by since the purchase of our new home… Taking $40k per year drop in pay will make it impossible for us to continue making our mortgage payments,” posted the Wynn employee.

Some also feel this is the easiest way to give supervisors big pay raises without having to increase actual salaries.

According to Amanda Penn, spokeswoman for the state Department of Business and Industry, the claims that have been filed so far have all been done so anonymously.

"We feel very comfortable with the legal footing we're on," Pascal told The Associated Press.  "We had inverted the compensation structure that really didn't motivate the best people. We've corrected that.

"Because of our property, that disparity has gotten wider. There was no incentive in the division to advance and grow.  Everybody wanted to become dealers," Pascal said.

Wynn Las Vegas is expected to launch a program to help dealers earn a yearly cash bonus, which Pascal said will add millions to the company‘s total payroll. Additionally, the changes were implemented to ensure the best people have the most responsibilities on the casino floor.

Over at the Las Vegas Review Journal, columnist John L. Smith posited this new casino floor salary formula could spread. "What is truly worrisome," Smith wrote, "is the fact the change might lead to similar actions at smaller casinos where dealers make a fraction of the tokes found at the Strip\\\'s megaresorts…If Wynn\\\'s latest change in the Vegas Rules is successful, watch for it to become an industry standard," Smith wrote.

MGM Mirage spokesman Alan Feldman told one newspaper it is not unusual for line level employees to make more than entry level managers and that is normal.

"The management positions are on a completely different career path than the line employees," Feldman said.