high roller

This term carries a strong association with luxury, risk, and exclusivity. In a gambling context, it describes a specific class of customer who is granted special privileges, such as complimentary suites or personal hosts, due to the volume of their bets. The connotation is generally neutral to positive, implying wealth and power, though it can occasionally suggest recklessness.

When used outside of casinos, the phrase functions as a characterization of someone's general approach to life and spending. It describes a personality type that prefers the most expensive options and avoids frugality. In this broader sense, it can be used admiringly to describe a "big spender" or critically to describe someone who is ostentatious or fiscally irresponsible.