‘Dirty Money’ Meaning | Casino & Gambling Terms Explained

Dirty money is the name given to money that has been bet and is temporarily not in play, which means that it is neither in the player’s nor the casino’s possession. Dirty money is also known as action money, live money, or in-play money, and it is a very common and important phenomenon in casino gambling.

Why have Dirty Money?

The purpose of having dirty money is to create excitement and suspense in the game, and to increase the stakes and the risk of the game. By having money that is bet and not in play, the game becomes more unpredictable and thrilling, as the outcome of the game can change the fate of the money. Dirty money can also create a sense of urgency and pressure in the game, as the players have to wait and see if they will win or lose their money.

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The amount and the duration of dirty money vary depending on the game, the rules, and the casino. Some games have more or less dirty money, such as roulette, which has more dirty money, or blackjack, which has less dirty money. Some rules have more or less dirty money, such as single-zero, which has more dirty money, or double-zero, which has less dirty money. Some casinos have more or less dirty money, depending on their location, size, and reputation.

The process and the procedure of dirty money also vary depending on the game, the rules, and the casino. Some of the steps that the players and the casino have to take to deal with dirty money are:

  • Placing the bets, which is when the players exchange their cash or chips for chips of a specific value and color, and place them on the table or the machine
  • Making the action, which is when the casino or the dealer starts the game, such as spinning the wheel, dealing the cards, or rolling the dice
  • Determining the outcome, which is when the casino or the dealer announces the result of the game, such as the winning number, color, or hand
  • Paying the winners, which is when the casino or the dealer pays out the winners with chips of the same value and color as their bets, and collects the losing bets
  • Cashing out, which is when the players exchange their chips for cash or larger denominations, and leave the casino or the game