Generally, a high roller is someone who bets large amounts of money and receives special treatment from the casino, such as access to exclusive areas and personalized services. In some casinos, high rollers may be expected to bet tens of thousands of dollars per hand, while in others, the threshold may be lower.

A high roller, also referred to as a whale or cheetah, is a gambler who consistently wagers large amounts of money. High rollers often receive lavish "comps" from casinos to lure them onto the gambling floors, such as free private jet transfers, limousine use and use of the casinos' best suites.