Gaming dealers: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more

Gaming dealers operate table games such as craps, blackjack, and roulette. They stand or sit behind tables while serving customers. Dealers control the pace and action of the game. They announce each players move to the rest of the table and let players know when it is their turn. Most dealers are often required to work at least two games, usually blackjack or craps. Gaming dealers typically do the following:

  • Give out cards and provide dice or other equipment to customers
  • Determine winners, calculate and pay off winning bets, and collect on losing bets
  • Continually inspect cards or dice
  • Inform players of the rules of the game
  • Keep track of the amount of money that customers have already bet
  • Exchange paper money for gaming chips
Education Required
Gaming dealers, gaming supervisors, sports book writers and runners, and slot supervisors typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Educational requirements for gaming managers, however, differ by casino. Although some casinos may only require a high school diploma or equivalent, others require gaming managers to have a college degree. Those who choose to pursue a degree may study hotel management, hospitality, or accounting in addition to taking formal management classes.
Training Required
Individual casinos or other gaming establishments have their own training requirements. New gaming dealers may be sent to gaming school for a few weeks to learn a casino game, such as blackjack or craps. These schools teach the rules and procedures of the game, as well as state and local laws and regulations related to the game.
Job Outlook
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 2% (Slower than average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.)
Advancement
Gaming managers are often promoted from positions as slot or gaming supervisors. They also may be moved from a management job in another part of the resort, such as hospitality, after learning about casino operations through an internship or on-the-job training.
Licenses/Certifications
Gaming services workers must be licensed by a state regulatory agency, such as a state casino control board or gaming commission. Licensing requirements for supervisory or managerial positions may differ from those for gaming dealers, gaming and sports book writers and runners, and all other gaming workers. However, all applicants for a license must provide photo identification and pay a fee. They also must typically pass an extensive background check and drug test. Failure to pass the background check may prevent candidates from getting a job or a gaming license.
Median pay: How much do Gaming Services Workers make?
$20,810 Annual Salary
$10.00 per hour

Careers for Gaming Services Workers

  • 21 dealers
  • Betting clerks
  • Bingo managers
  • Blackjack dealers
  • Blackjack pit bosses
  • Blackjack supervisors
  • Bookies
  • Card room managers
  • Card table attendants
  • Casino dealers
  • Casino floor runners
  • Casino games dealers
  • Casino managers
  • Casino slot supervisors
  • Casino supervisors
  • Craps dealers
  • Electronic gaming device supervisors
  • Executive casino hosts
  • Financial clerks
  • Gambling supervisors
  • Gaming and sports book writers and runners
  • Gaming department heads
  • Gaming directors
  • Gaming managers
  • Gaming managers and supervisors
  • Keno dealers
  • Keno runners
  • Keno writers
  • Pit bosses
  • Pit clerks
  • Pit supervisors
  • Poker dealers
  • Poker prop players
  • Poker room supervisors
  • Proposition players
  • Race and sports book writers
  • Race book writers
  • Roulette dealers
  • Shills
  • Slot floor supervisors
  • Slot hosts
  • Slot key persons
  • Slot operations directors
  • Slot shift managers
  • Slot supervisors
  • Slots managers
  • Sports book board attendants
  • Sports book ticket writers
  • Table games dealers
  • Table games managers
  • Table games supervisors

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