No industry is foolproof or recession-proof, but casino jobs keep opening up because new casinos are still being built. And, there are reasons you might want to work at a casino. The Top Ten Reasons for accepting a casino dealer job are:
- Pay. Dealers can make as much as $100,000 per year.
- Minimum Education Needed. As little as two weeks of training may be all that is required. Some casinos offer in-house training to existing employees for dealer positions. Other properties hire experienced dealers and/or those who have successfully graduated from a dealing school. Fees for dealing schools typically run $500 to learn blackjack and higher amounts for more complicated games like craps and roulette.
- Benefits. Large corporations that offer excellent benefits own many casinos. Bonuses and 401K match programs are second only to medical benefits.
- Working Conditions. Although many casinos still allow smoking, most dealers find that the working conditions and perks are excellent. Good ventilation, good lighting and a clean environment are standard. Employee dining rooms can rival nice restaurants, and some properties, like the Wynn in Las Vegas, offer dining that is off the charts. Some employee dining rooms are free, others offer meals for as little as a dollar or two.
- Scheduling. Most casinos offer 24-hour gaming, so dealers can work any shift. Time off is usually easy to get, and an early-out to accommodate an emergency is often available.
- Tips. A dealer’s pay is based heavily on tips. At a “go for your own” casino, dealers keep their own tips and have a huge impact on how much they earn. The harder they work at being friendly and taking care of their guests, the more they will earn.
- Breaks. Most dealers work an hour and a half and then get a half-hour break.
- Flexible Personal Time Off. More and more properties are offering personal time off instead of vacations. Dealers earn a few hours of paid time off each week and can schedule their own days off or vacations in advance.
- Comradery. Dealing makes for good stories and personal experiences. There is plenty of time to chat with fellow employees as a dealer.
- Mobility and Transfers. Many casino properties allow dealers to move from one property to another, as the need arises – even to different states. Casinos also offer a wide variety of jobs and experienced dealers are qualified for many of them, even if they stay in the pit and take a pit boss position.
There are other reasons that a casino dealer job is the perfect fit for people whether they are looking for a part time or temporary job while going to college or want to land a permanent position. Dealing isn’t for everyone, but many people find the job fun and exciting and make a career of it.
No matter what your abilities, there are a lot of different casino jobs!
