Meaning of power of the pencil | Babel Free

Definitions

The authority to charge a punter's gambling or other bills to the casino.

idiomatic

Examples

“In the casino business, they call it the power of the pencil. As casino host I had the ability to sign away a guest's restaurant tabs, wipe out all room or suite charges, give away almost any casino and hotel bills.”

“Mafia pit bosses had the 'power of the pencil' to hand out free rooms, food and beverages at their discretion, […]”

CEFR level