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.

The Definition of a 'Whale'

Whales are the absolute apex predators of the gambling world, often placing $50,000 to $100,000 on a single hand of Baccarat.

If a whale goes on a massive winning streak, they can literally drain a smaller casino's available cash reserves.

• 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

What Do Casinos Give Away to High Rollers?

Casinos maintain massive, multi-story penthouse 'Villas' that are never available to the general public, reserved exclusively for these top-tier VIPs.

If a whale wants front-row tickets to a sold-out championship boxing match, the casino will simply buy the seats at an exorbitant markup.

While the average player grinds away at the penny slots, the whales are quietly funding the massive chandeliers and the marble floors.