To many people the casino industry looks incredibly glamorous. Fantastically decorated interiors in imposing buildings make the perfect backdrop for the world’s high rollers to win, and lose, fortunes on the spin of a wheel or the turn of a card. So it’s not surprising that it’s a magnet for people who want to work in one of the world’s fastest-growing fields.
It’s certainly a significant employer across the US. 2014 figures show that 362,000 people were directly employed in casinos, with more than half of them based in the state of Nevada.
What’s more, in common with many areas of the hospitality sector, a good proportion of those employees were women. In terms of earnings it’s also a relatively high paying sector with the average weekly wage in Nevada for that time being $709.
On top of the perceived glamour and the relatively high wages, which can often be further increased through tips in many casinos, there are a number of other benefits that make it an appealing work prospect for so many women.
Perks of the job
The first is undoubtedly the flexibility in working hours. As many casinos are 24-hour operations,it may be easier to fit working patterns around your own schedule.
In addition, by working for a corporation with casinos around the world, working conditions and perks are also likely to be excellent, as are the prospects for career progression.
If you have an urge to travel, this can also become a real possibility, with transfers often available to other casino resorts around the world or even the opportunity to work on a cruise liner with an on-board casino.
So if you’re considering a move into casinos,what kinds of jobs are there in the industry and what does it take to succeed in them? There’s a wide range to suit almost everyone – here’s a rundown of just three of them.
Dealer
This is probably the job that first springs to mind when you’re considering a career in the casino world. The dealers are the people who run the games, dealing cards (obviously!), taking the bets and spinning the wheels. It’s definitely only the sort of job you can do if you’re a people person, as you’ll be in constant contact with the public. This means dealing with people in the middle of real highs as well as some real lows.
As well as being personable, other essential skills you’ll need are a razor sharpness for mental maths,and an in-depth understanding of the different casino games you’ll be running. Fantastic powers of observation, and sometimes memory, are also needed – you’re the eyes and ears of the casino, and part of your job would be spotting any suspicious behaviour by players.
Another real practical skill that you’d need would be the ability to stay on your feet for extended periods – sometimes in the hours of the late night or early morning when you feel like it’s the last thing you want to be doing.
There are no real formal qualifications required, and most big casinos will provide full training before you’re let loose on the gaming floor. But you can give yourself a head-start by enrolling in a six-week dealer training course.
If the idea of the job appeals but you’re not sure if you’re so keen on dealing with the public directly, there is a suitable alternative: online casinos. They bring all the benefits and excitement of being a dealer in a live casino without having to watch players so closely. In effect, you’ll be working in a TV studio and interaction with players will be via webchats – which still effectively capture the essence of the job’s sociable side. With more and more online casinos offering live roulette with real dealers, this is a viable option for anyone hoping for a career as a dealer.
In Las Vegas, a dealer’s salary can be as much as $37,000 a year once you’ve had some experience – with a starting wage of around $25,000 a year.
Pit boss
Also known as the Floor Manager, a Pit Boss ensures everything’s going smoothly on the casino floor, and calmly handles issues if it isn’t. Just as for dealers, another key part of the job is to keep a close eye out for any suspicious player behaviour.
The sort of skills needed to make a good Pit Boss are the same kinds at a premium in the hotel and catering industries.Your main role is to make sure that customers, or players in this case, are having a good time and to help resolve anything that’s getting in the way.
Naturally, a high degree of diplomacy is needed, as well as the ability to think on your feet and weigh up situations quickly when they arise. Again, no formal qualifications are needed but you will have to have a thorough knowledge of casino games, as well as a great deal of experience of working with the public. Although Pit Bosses can’t make money from tips like dealers do, the average salary is still pretty respectable at just under $50,000.
Casino Manager
The Casino Manager oversees all aspects of the day-to-day casino operation, from recruiting new staff to ensuring that the business complies with all rules and regulations. Being the face of the casino is also a key element of the role, effectively playing host and ensuring that everything is in place for players to have a good time.
With the largest casinos employing hundreds of staff, managing one can be quite a responsibility – so you’d need a degree in business management as well as a great deal of practical experience.But there are other ways of progression – many Casino Managers have risen through the ranks, learning all about the industry over the course of a few years. The rewards are also good with a salary of around $67,000 a year – plus the chance of bonuses for hitting annual turnover targets.
Hot prospects
At a time of economic strife, there are still some sectors where recruitment – and the prospect of a successful career – is booming. The ever-growing world of casino could be the ideal place to start thinking about a move. And with plenty of opportunities for career progression regardless of gender, it’s well worth some very serious consideration.
