Casino Gaming Workers

At a Glance

Most work as blackjack, keno, roulette, or craps dealers
Interact regularly with the public
Often handle large amounts of money (in cash or chips)
Often wear a uniform
Usually train on the job
Need a license
May work days, evenings, weekends, and holidays

Career summary

Casino gaming workers exchange money, monitor activities, or conduct games such as poker or keno.

Some of the job titles included in this occupational description are gaming dealers, slot attendants, cage cashiers, gaming supervisors, and gaming and sports book writers and runners.

#From 9841 Casino Workers

#review 3/26/19 lh

Casino gaming workers lead games and make sure that the rules are followed. They also explain how to play games to customers and ensure that they are having a pleasant experience. Gaming workers check that bets are placed before play begins. They collect the bets from players who lose, and make payments to players who win.

Gaming workers watch players to make sure they do not try to cheat. They notify security or a supervisor if they notice suspicious activity.

Duties of casino gaming workers vary with the job. The majority of casino gaming workers lead games such as blackjack, keno, and craps.

In large casinos, dealers may specialize in a single game, but in small casinos they may be required to be familiar with more than one game.

Blackjack dealers deal cards to players.
Roulette workers operate the roulette wheel.
Keno writers issue tickets for Keno, a game resembling a lottery with frequent drawings.
Each craps table requires three dealers and a supervisor called a boxperson.

Some gaming workers make sure that players have money to bet. Cage cashiers sell gambling chips, tokens, or tickets to customers. They convert gaming chips, tokens, or tickets back into money.

Slot attendants, or gaming change people, work with the slot machines. They wear money belts and exchange paper money for coins or tokens. The attendants send players to the cage cashier for payoffs when they hit jackpots.

Attendants may also open slot machines to fix jams. They report more complex problems to slot technicians.

Gaming supervisors oversee workers and gambling activities. They set and maintain a bank and table limit for each game. They explain house rules to customers and handle complaints. They make sure all games are conducted properly.

Related careers

This career is part of the Hospitality and Tourism cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to casino gaming workers.

Conduct games, such as dice, roulette, cards, or keno. Make sure that game rules are followed.
Collects bets before play begins.
Verify, compute, and pay out winnings.
Watch for players who try to cheat. Report suspicious behavior to supervisors.
Exchange paper money for playing chips or coins. Exchange playing chips for paper money.
Seat players at gaming tables and explain game rules to them. Refer players to cashiers to collect winnings.
Supervise game play and other workers.
Handle complaints and solve problems. Prepare collection reports for supervisors.
Inspect cards and equipment.
May work with other dealers in a section or for a particular game.

Common work activities

Casino gaming workers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Perform for or work with the public
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Get information needed to do the job
Establish and maintain relationships
Evaluate information against standards
Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
Process information
Make decisions and solve problems
Identify objects, actions, and events
Teach others
Communicate with people outside the organization
Use computers
Update and use job-related knowledge

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, casino gaming workers:

Interpersonal relationships

Have a high level of social interaction. They spend most of their shift interacting with players.
Are often placed in conflict situations in which people might be unpleasant or upset after losing.
Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other workers.
Work as part of a team of dealers.

Physical work conditions

Always work indoors.
Sometimes wear a uniform or vest to distinguish them as casino employees.
Are often exposed to sounds and noises, such as slot machines, that might be distracting.
Work close to others, sometimes with a few feet.
May on occasion be exposed to contaminants, such as cigarette smoke.

Work performance

Must be very exact or highly accurate in performing their job. Errors could cause casinos or players to lose money.
Must make sure that all details of the job are performed and everything is completed.
Regularly make decisions that affect the reputation of the casino.
Work in a competitive atmosphere where tensions between players can be high.
Repeat the same physical activities.
Depending on the game, must keep pace with the speed of game play or equipment.

Hours/travel

May work part time or full time.
May work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Casinos are open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Generally work a set schedule.

Physical demands

Casino gaming workers frequently:

Stand for long periods of time.
Repeat the same movements.
Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important for casino gaming workers to be able to:

See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Understand the speech of another person.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for casino gaming workers to be able to:

See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.

Skills and abilities

Casino gaming workers need to:

Communicate

Understand spoken information.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.

Use math and science

Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
Look for ways to help people.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Gaming Programs

Other programs of study to consider

Hospitality Management

Training

To work as a casino gaming worker, you typically need to:

have a high school diploma or equivalent;
complete short-term, on-the-job training; and
have a license.

Education after high school

No formal education is required beyond high school. Some professional-technical schools and two-year colleges offer courses for casino gaming workers.

Work experience

Gaming supervisors usually have one to five years of experience working in a casino. Experience as a dealer or as a slot attendant is good preparation.

On-the-job training

Casino gaming workers usually receive hands-on experience in the casino or in a mock casino. On the job, you learn to:

run casino games or deal cards;
operate a cash register;
provide customer service; and
understand casino policies.

Training may last up to one month. The length of training varies depending on the casino and the type of job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Hospitality

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Casino employees must pass a thorough background security check. Most casinos require their workers to have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Hiring requirements vary with the job. Applicants must have experience or complete a casino-provided course. Applicants must demonstrate their gaming skills as part of the job interview. Employers prefer people who are reliable and have customer service experience. Smaller casinos may prefer people who are able to conduct several games.

Many casino managers will only hire dealers who have been trained in their own casino. Applicants who wish to become dealers may have to start in some other job.

Some casinos are owned by Native American tribes. In these casinos, when there are several equally qualified applicants for a job, they will first hire a member of their tribe.

Tips

Keyboarding and public speaking skills are helpful for some casino jobs. Workers also may need to be willing to work in an environment that allows smoking.

#Gaming dealer job sited on WorkSource site mentioned that workers must be able to tolerate a smoke-filled environment, 3/3/10, cj.

Licensing/certification

Casino workers must be at least 18 years of age. Some casinos require workers to be at least 21 years old. Casino workers in house-banked cardrooms and fee-to-play cardrooms must be licensed by the State through their employer. Certification is required in tribal casinos that have agreements with the State. Workers are certified by the State of Washington after passing criminal and financial background checks. Presently, class III gambling (casino) certification can only be obtained by going though the appropriate tribal authority. After certification, workers may be hired by the tribe. Some tribes do not have agreements with the State and may have different requirements. Applicants should check with the specific tribe for more information.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Gambling Commission (external link)
PO Box 42400
Olympia, WA 98504-2400
360.486.3440
800.345.2529

#website ok address/ph ok, 3/3/11 lh. Checked info 2/27/12 & 2/18/14, 3/22/16 cj. no changes here 2/14/17 lh or 2/19/18 cj. updated url 3/26/19 lh

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link) .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Gaming and sports book writers and runners (SOC 39-3012)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$11.59	$12.04	$13.60	$15.66	$21.46
	Monthly	$2,009	$2,087	$2,357	$2,714	$3,719
	Yearly	$24,100	$25,040	$28,300	$32,570	$44,640
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$13.15	$14.13	$15.78	$20.34	$23.54
	Monthly	$2,279	$2,449	$2,735	$3,525	$4,079
	Yearly	$27,360	$29,399	$32,826	$42,308	$48,976
United States	Hourly	$9.14	$10.39	$11.74	$14.95	$20.56
	Monthly	$1,584	$1,801	$2,035	$2,591	$3,563
	Yearly	$19,020	$21,610	$24,430	$31,100	$42,770

Gaming dealers (SOC 39-3011)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$11.51	$11.69	$14.50	$18.91	$29.57
	Monthly	$1,995	$2,026	$2,513	$3,277	$5,124
	Yearly	$23,930	$24,310	$30,150	$39,330	$61,510
Bremerton-Silverdale	Hourly	$11.98	$12.14	$12.40	$12.65	$16.05
	Monthly	$2,076	$2,104	$2,149	$2,192	$2,781
	Yearly	$24,922	$25,242	$25,775	$26,313	$33,387
Kennewick-Richland	Hourly	$12.01	$12.22	$12.74	$17.40	$18.99
	Monthly	$2,081	$2,118	$2,208	$3,015	$3,291
	Yearly	$24,995	$25,423	$26,494	$36,185	$39,502
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$11.88	$12.08	$16.35	$19.64	$30.96
	Monthly	$2,059	$2,093	$2,833	$3,404	$5,365
	Yearly	$24,703	$25,117	$34,010	$40,851	$64,411
United States	Hourly	$8.13	$8.80	$9.68	$11.44	$16.26
	Monthly	$1,409	$1,525	$1,678	$1,983	$2,818
	Yearly	$16,910	$18,310	$20,120	$23,800	$33,830

Wages for casino gaming workers varies by duty. The worker's skill, experience, and exact job duties also influence the pay level. The higher the skill, the more experience, and the more responsibility workers have, the higher their wages.

Many casino gaming workers receive tips from customers. Base wages can be quite low, but tips can more than double or triple the base wages.

Casino gaming workers who work full time may receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

Currently, there are about 28 tribal casinos and about 54 non house-banked and house-banked card rooms licensed in Washington. State law allows businesses to open enhanced card rooms or "minicasinos." These operations have lower betting limits and fewer games than tribal casinos, but are often closer to patron's homes.

Tribal Governments have negotiated a compact with the State. This compact allows tribes to increase the number of player terminals in their casinos from 18,225 to 27,300. It also allows the tribal casinos to remain open 24 hours per day and offer games with higher stakes. At the same time, the agreement places a cap on the number of casinos that can operate and creates a tribal funding mechanism for problem gambling and smoking cessation programs.

#Checked Gambling Commission website & still seems to be same #of tribal casinos, etc. as mentioned above, 3/3/10, cj. Changed # from 28 to 27 3/22/16 cj; changed back to 28 2/19/18 cj. Still at 28 after spokane closure 3/26/19 lh

# Updated non and house-banked casinos to 54 was 66 from https://www.wsgc.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/reports-publications/licensed-operator-activity/commercial-2018-fy.pdf pg 9 3/26/19 lh

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Gaming and Sports Book Writers and Runners (SOC 39-3012)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	133	12.8%	16.1%	24
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	45	11.1%	13.4%	8
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	18	16.7%	11.9%	3
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	33	12.1%	14.1%	6
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	22	18.2%	14.6%	4
Pierce County	58	10.3%	15.2%	10
United States	11,700	-0.9%	5.2%	1,800

Gaming Dealers (SOC 39-3011)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	6,491	17.3%	16.1%	1,267
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	179	11.7%	13.4%	32
Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties	55	10.9%	8.6%	9
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	382	13.6%	11.9%	70
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	443	22.8%	15.2%	93
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	296	12.8%	14.1%	53
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	291	18.6%	14.6%	58
King County	1,821	13.9%	19.6%	338
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	323	10.8%	13.8%	56
Pierce County	813	15.3%	15.2%	153
Snohomish County	993	17.1%	12.4%	193
Spokane County	369	57.5%	13.9%	117
United States	95,500	4.2%	5.2%	15,500

National employment

Nevada and New Jersey have well established casino-style gaming industries. Most jobs for casino gaming workers are in those states. However, about 30 other states have casinos operated by Native American tribes.

Major employers:

Casinos
Bingo parlors

National outlook

Demand is steady for casino gaming workers due to construction of new casinos around the country by Native American tribal governments. Another source of high demand for casino workers is development of the gaming industries in Nevada and New Jersey. Job growth is expected to be strong as states allow more gaming activities such as card games. Also more states may allow casinos as they seek tax revenues.

The long-term outlook for gaming depends on economic conditions. The outcome of proposed legislation determining gaming areas will also affect the outlook. In the near future, opportunities for jobs should be good for those with training and experience. Workers who are willing to relocate should also have good opportunities.

Other resources

American Gaming Association
799 9th Street, NW Suite 700
Washington, DC 20001

Hospitality Careers Online

UNITE HERE
275 - 7th Avenue, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10001
212.265.7000

References

Career cluster

Hospitality and Tourism

Career path

Conventional (Business Operations)

O*Net occupations

O*Net job zone

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.