Growing Casino Industry Has Jobs in the Cards
It's not just gamblers who get a rush of excitement from the sight
of a casino. The many hard-working people employed in this multi-billion-dollar
industry also enjoy the flashing lights and fast pace of a casino industry
career.
"Many students are drawn to the casino industry because of the excitement,"
says Jane Bokunewicz. "It's a business where high rollers are wined and dined,
celebrities perform, and customers go for fun and entertainment."
Bokunewicz is an assistant professor in the hospitality and tourism management
studies program at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. She says casinos
offer many different types of positions.
"The casinos have such a wide variety of jobs, including casino floor,
food and beverage, hotel, accounting and finance, administrative and sales
and marketing, among other areas," she says. "Employees have the opportunity
to move into other areas if they are not happy with their first job."
Casino workers also have the option to work at other casinos across North
America, or even overseas. A willingness to move can open many doors.
"If you are willing to relocate to other parts of the country, your potential
for beginning a quality career in the casino industry increases tremendously,"
says Bokunewicz. "New properties offer great potential for recent graduates
to start a career and move up quickly."
Once you get your foot in the door, you can start to prove your worth and
move into roles with more responsibility.
"I would encourage young people to take an entry-level job in any casino
and show your management what you are capable of by learning quickly and voluntarily
taking on additional responsibilities," says Bokunewicz. "Your chances for
a promotion are much better when you demonstrate the ability to do higher-level
jobs."
Keep in mind that it's not all fun and games in the casino industry. The
perks come with challenges.
"Because casinos are open 365 days per year and 24 hours per day, the
working hours can be challenging for some," says Bokunewicz. "Additionally,
customers are spending large amounts of money and often have high expectations
of the employees."
Not all casinos have booming business. This can lead to cuts in certain
positions. Technology can also have a negative effect on some casino jobs.
"Over the years, technology has reduced the need for some frontline positions
like slot attendants, slot mechanics and slot change," says Bokunewicz. "Table
games innovations could potentially reduce the need for dealers in the future."
Overall, however, there seem to be plenty of opportunities in the casino
industry.
"The availability of jobs fluctuates by region," says Bokunewicz. "Although
Atlantic City has seen revenue declines and staffing cuts in recent years,
new jurisdictions are opening each year -- like Massachusetts, for example
-- and others are expanding, like New York and Florida. Even casinos in Atlantic
City are hiring employees because of turnover."
"Casinos are a multi-billion dollar industry that in many ways is recession
proof," says Chad Barnett. He's the general manager of The Casino Institute
in San Diego.
"People have a tendency to gamble in good times and in bad," says Barnett.
"The casino also offers one of the highest paying entry-level positions, [with]
a table games dealer starting out on average at $50,000-plus per year. Experienced
dealers can make up to $100,000-plus per year at some casinos."
The Casino Institute offers a table games dealer course that takes about
four months to complete.
"For the past 10 years, we have been able to place every single student
that has graduated from our school," says Barnett. "Many casinos have recently
expanded in the Southern California area, adding floor space, hotels and new
parking garages."
Drew Gardiner is the admissions manager at a college that offers a diploma
program in hotel, restaurant and casino management. "A high school student
should focus on successfully completing their [high school diploma] and pay
special attention to English and computer courses," he says.
According to Barnett, casino workers need to be good with people and have
exceptional customer service skills. They also have to be able to stand for
long periods of time.
"To be successful in the casino management field, or just hospitality in
general, a student should be outgoing, approachable, hard working and resourceful,"
says Gardiner.
If you have the above qualities, the casino industry offers many opportunities
for a short-term job or a long-term career.
"The casinos offer an outstanding opportunity for a long-term career in
the business," says Bokunewicz. "Employees can start at entry level with very
little training [since] often the training is provided by the casinos, and
move up through several levels of management including supervisor, manager,
director, vice president and president/general manager."
Links
American Gaming Association
News and facts about the gaming industry
North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries
A central information source for the lottery industry
The Wager
A weekly addiction gambling education report
Michael Pollock's Gaming Industry Observer
The latest industry news and trends in gaming
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