Jobs at Casinos - Vegas, Atlantic City, and Beyond!

The number of casinos in the United States, and really around the world, has increased at a steady rate. It used to be that only certain cities or regions of the country were legally able to open casinos, because organized gambling is illegal in many states. However, today casinos are viewed more as an entertainment option rather than a place for hard-core gambling. This change in viewpoint has encouraged casino organizers to plan and open casinos in many cities. Also, many states are supplementing their income for schools and other state-funded institutions by co-operating casinos and receiving a portion of the revenue. While many state-operated casinos have been proposed in the last twenty years, voters have approved very few. Still, voters have approved for some casinos to be opened in their cities. Usually this is because casinos supply employment and draw people to local businesses, and so they are seen as another business development idea.

Casinos do employ a large number of people from the dealers and supervisors, to bartenders, servers, and cooks. If the casino also offers entertainment, it hires singers, dancers, or other entertainers. Additionally, a casino needs several cashiers, bookkeepers, security personnel, and accounting and purchasing employees. There are other positions at casinos that may be less noticeable, such as equipment technicians and maintenance employees. For most of these positions, some education, training, and/or experience are required.

Did you know? You cannot be employed by a casino unless you are at least 21 years old.

Common Types of Casino Jobs

Of course the first job that people think of when they think of casinos are the dealers. Casinos operate a variety of games, and they are usually a combination of card games, slot machines, and other traditional gambling games like roulette. At each game there must be an experienced operator. These dealers or operators must know how to keep a game honest, fun, and entertaining for observers. They determine the winners and must calculate the winnings they'll receive as well as collect from the losing players.

They have to be very familiar with the rules of the game, house rules and policies, and betting procedures. They also need to know federal and local gambling laws and regulations and make sure they are following them. Most employers like their dealers to be able to work at more than one game. This work is fast paced and can be somewhat stressful. You need to be able to interact with a variety of people, and some of them can become frustrated or unhappy if they begin losing a lot of money. Dealers do need to earn certification, which can be done after completing a two- or four-year training program in gambling or a related hospitality field. The more you're able to attract guests to your table, the more successful you will be. However, this is traditionally not a high-paying position. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average dealer earned minimum wage.

Another common casino job is the cashier or cage worker. These workers are the ones who sell chips and tokens to casino guests that they use for gambling and playing the games in the casinos. When the guests are ready to leave the casino they cash in those chips with the cashier. Some resorts also offer their customers credit, which enables them to gamble. It's the cashier's responsibility to process the credit applications and issue or deny the credit. One thing to keep in mind for this job is that you will be on your feet throughout your entire shift. If you do work in a "cage" it can be cramped or confining. It can also be fast-paced. Since you interact with customers throughout your shift, you'll need to have great people skills and customer service skills. As far as education goes, you'll need to have a high school diploma. There are no formal training programs or certifications for these positions, but employers may prefer to hire workers who have taken some business or accounting classes or have had a few years of experience working as a cashier. Cage workers earn approximately $9.50 an hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Gaming security or surveillance officers are a third common job found at casinos. These employees are hired to watch customers as they gamble to make sure they aren't cheating or stealing. Large sums of cash are generated each night at a casino, and these security officers are in charge of ensuring that both the cash and casino patrons are safe from theft or other crimes. In most casinos cameras are installed at each table and game and throughout the bar, lobby, near exits, and other common areas. Security personnel closely monitor these cameras and if they see an employee or customer committing theft or fraud, they detain the person until the police arrive. It usually takes a combination of two or more security employees at the camera monitors and walking the casino to ensure that assets and people are safe. Casino security officers need to be physically fit and have quick reflexes. They also need to have good communication skills. Most casinos prefer to hire security officers who have some previous experience in this area. There are some security officer training programs that offer one or two years of training and participants receive a certificate when they've completed the program. When it comes to salary, there's a fairly wide range in what casino security officers can make. Officers who work in large casinos in a large metropolitan area are more likely to earn higher salaries than others. Also, officers who have more experience can earn higher salaries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for casino security officers is about $20,000 per year.

Remember, at some casinos there are many other jobs available, such as kitchen staff members, waiters, waitresses, hostesses, and others. The three jobs highlighted in this section are more specific to casinos, and are the most common jobs available.

Casino Jobs Summary

• More and more casinos are being built in the United States, and as a result the number of casino jobs is also expected to increase throughout the next several years.
• You must be at least 21 years old in order to work at a casino.
• There are three jobs that are common to casinos: game dealers or operators, cage workers, and casino security officers.
• Most casino jobs do not require additional education past high school. However, some jobs, like game dealers and security officers, can receive specialized training for their positions.

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