| Casino Dealer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Job Outlook | 5% |
Casino Dealers are multitasking professionals who are able to focus and work throughout the rustling and bustling and fast movement typical of a casino.
Casino Dealers have an exciting job and cater to their clients’ fun nature interacting with them throughout their game by clarifying rules, placing bets and dealing out cards and winnings.
Casino Dealers are knowledgeable of state gambling regulations and quickly reward their clients using their math skills; they facilitate games such as Poker, Blackjack and Roulette.
Casino Dealers have to be able to work among a large number of people, some who may have been drinking or smoking inside the casino.
Table of Contents
Education Requirements to Become a Casino Dealer
The minimum requirements for someone who wants to become a Casino Dealer includes having a high school diploma or a GED and have a gaming board license recognized by the state they wish to work in.
In addition, dealers must be proficient in math and are required to pass a mathematics skills test in order to be accepted for a Casino Dealer position.
Most casinos prefer to hire people with experience or who have attended a Dealer school.
People who want to become a Casino Dealer can fulfill the requirements by applying to and attending a school or program that offers certification.
Attending a professional program is the best way to learn all the information important to becoming a Casino Dealer.
During the program, a student can expect to learn gaming rules and procedures as well as gaming laws applicable to the state they will work in.
Candidates looking to become a Casino Dealer can register for classes at community colleges that offer the gaming program, trade schools or a school that focuses on dealer programs.
In addition, Casinos can offer training programs onsite as long as the candidate meets the minimum job requirements.
For the license, a candidate needs to provide proof of residency for the state they live in, present a photo I.D., pass a background check and meet age requirements.
Some Casinos prefer to hire candidates who are at least 21 years of age.
Casino Dealer Job Description
In addition to being good at interacting with people, Casino Dealers need to know techniques for dealing cards as well as the casino game rules and procedures.
They spend the majority of their shift on their feet and depending on the state, may have to be able to tolerate cigarette smoke.
They also have to work with clientele that have been drinking alcoholic beverages.
Casino Dealers use a variety of skills ranging from customer service, quick problem solving and adding within a short amount of time to provide winnings to their clients.
Casino Dealers constantly interact with their clients and are required to make quick payments to winning gamblers.
Some typical responsibilities include the following:
- Guide clients throughout games such as Blackjack, Poker and Roulette
- State game rules and casino regulations to clients
- Accept client bets and pay out any winning bids in a timely manner
- Monitor gamer habits and look for any behavior not following rules and regulations
- Alternate between gaming tables throughout their shift
- Attend customer service training
Casino Dealer Salary and Career Path
Casino Dealers receive compensation from the organization they work for although the rate of pay is low and is usually below the Federal minimum wage.
Because of this, Casino Dealers mostly rely on tips from winning clients.
It is important that Casino Dealers have an upbeat personality and are able to manage the fast pace and rowdiness of a casino.
Dealers earn the majority of their income from the clients themselves and have to rely on their customer service skills to keep clients happy and satisfied.
The median salary for a Casino Dealer is approximately $14,000 per year, although this amount doesn’t include tips and can vary from person to person.
A more experienced and outgoing Casino Dealer will make more money than someone who doesn’t have as much experience and just getting into the trade.
A Casino Dealer’s career depends mostly on their customer relationships; Dealers therefore have to attend training that helps them interact with a variety of people under many situations.
Casino Dealers can expect to spend their workday in a fun atmosphere helping people win.
The below information is based on the 2023 BLS national averages.
National Average Salary
$40,030Average Salary by State
| State | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $66,370 |
| California | $42,880 |
| Colorado | $44,950 |
| Delaware | $41,470 |
| Florida | $43,620 |
| Illinois | $34,660 |
| Indiana | $34,310 |
| Iowa | $31,890 |
| Kansas | $35,610 |
| Louisiana | $40,670 |
| Maryland | $40,550 |
| Michigan | $38,930 |
| Minnesota | $33,160 |
| Mississippi | $43,920 |
| Missouri | $41,140 |
| Nevada | $29,450 |
| New Hampshire | - NA - |
| New Jersey | $46,120 |
| New Mexico | $30,640 |
| New York | $56,080 |
| North Carolina | $33,320 |
| North Dakota | $31,600 |
| Ohio | $41,710 |
| Oklahoma | $23,920 |
| Oregon | $37,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,790 |
| South Carolina | $21,740 |
| South Dakota | $35,520 |
| Texas | $38,440 |
| Washington | $61,290 |
| West Virginia | $55,700 |
| Wisconsin | $45,600 |
| Puerto Rico | $24,370 |
The top earning state in the field is Arizona, where the average salary is $66,370.
These are the top 5 highest-paying states in the field:
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a casino dealer?
A casino dealer is someone who deals cards and assists the game at a gambling table.
Their work also includes customer service and detecting cheaters.
Most casino dealers are employed in casinos and poker rooms but they may also work on cruise ships and for party and event planning companies.
Casino dealers often work in shifts and they sometimes work nights, weekends or during holidays.
A casino dealer should be a sociable person with great attention to detail, patience and the ability to calculate bets and pots.
How much does a casino dealer make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for gaming dealers was $20,120 as of May 2018.
Salaries vary depending on a number of factors; some gaming service workers earn less than $17,000 a year while others earn more than $50,000 a year.
Casino dealers also earn tips, and the amount of tips they receive depends on many factors.
Those who work for large casinos and have a nice attitude and good people skills can earn more in tips than they do from their base salary.
How much does it cost to become a casino dealer?
There are no formal educational requirements for gaming jobs; most casino dealers need a high school diploma or equivalent and must be over 18 or 21, depending on the state where they seek employment.
Many casinos may require their newly employed dealers to complete a training course which usually lasts between 4 and 8 weeks.
Experienced casino workers may also be sent to gaming school in order to learn new games.
Some schools also offer programs that last a few months and teach you several games for approximately $2000.
What is the demand for casino dealers?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for gaming service workers is expected to grow 5 percent from 2018 to 2028.
As casinos become more popular and new gambling establishments are built, the demand for casino dealers will grow.
Competition is expected to be strong and those who have experience in customer service should have the best job prospects.
Having a gaming license and knowing several casino games will also increase your chances of finding employment in the field.
How long does it take to become a casino dealer?
Casino dealers usually need a high school diploma or GED and must be over 18 or over 21, depending on the state.
Most casinos train their new employees by sending them to a gaming school.
Learning the rules and regulations of a casino game usually takes no more than a few weeks.
Programs that include more than one game are also available at some schools and usually last 2-3 months.
At the gaming school, you learn rules and procedures of casino games, such as poker or blackjack.
Casino dealers must have a clean criminal record and must pass a pre-employment drug test.
You will also need a gaming license, which requires passing a background check and being fingerprinted.
Related Careers
Hospitality Manager
Hotel Managers can have a wide variety of duties depending on the establishment.
Audio Technician
An audio technician works to set up and maintain audiovisual equipment for touring shows and broadcast or recording studios.
Tour Guide
Tour Guides are responsible for researching the destinations prior to travel to ensure that they educate their clients and enhance their visiting experience.
