A casino dealer runs the games in a casino including spinning the roulette wheel and dealing cards. They may also be called croupiers.
The Work
You could be:
welcoming players to the table
explaining game rules to new customers, if asked to do so
giving out plastic chips in exchange for cash
making sure that all bets are in place before play starts
dealing the cards, throwing the dice or spinning the roulette wheel, depending on the game
making sure that players obey the rules
mentally calculating the payouts due to winners and giving out winnings in plastic chips
learning how to deal up to four main games, such as American roulette, baccarat or blackjack
supervising the slot machines and electronic gaming areas.
Pay
The figures below are only a guide. Actual salaries may vary, depending on:
where you work
the size of the company or organisation you work for
the demand for the job.
Starting salaries for dealers (outside London) could be around £15,000 a year, rising to between £20,000 and £25,000 a year. The law has changed and now dealers can accept tips in UK casinos.
Conditions
You would probably have a good working environment, perhaps stylish and luxurious, but it might be hot and crowded.
You must be flexible with your working hours as casinos may now open 24 hours a day every day, except Christmas Day.
You would probably work 8-hour shifts, including weekends and nights. Overtime is common.
You might be able to work part time.
You might have to travel to run gaming tables in other centres, perhaps to help run corporate entertainment events.
You wear a uniform or dress code, possibly evening dress, which the casino provides.
Many casino dealers get jobs through personal contacts.
You do not need formal qualifications but a good general education is useful. Personality is more important than qualifications.
You may have to pass a test in manual dexterity and in maths.
You must be over 18.
Casino dealers must be licensed by the Gambling Commission.
You will require a satisfactory criminal record check from Disclosure Scotland to show that you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details on the type you would need.
You should be able to communicate clearly.
Certificated gaming staff work in casinos in cities and large towns. There are also jobs on cruise ships.
good with your hands – for dealing cards and moving chips quickly
confident in your knowledge of current gambling laws and decisive in applying them
diplomatic and tactful to deal with difficult situations
friendly and courteous – regardless of clients’ attitudes
able to concentrate for long periods
able to work calmly under pressure
able to think quickly and be good at mental arithmetic
trustworthy and honest.
Training
Training is on the job and can last between 6 to 10 weeks. On successful completion of this initial training you then gain the necessary Personal Functional Licence (PFL) which allows you to work in the gambling industry. You need to reapply for this every five years.
You might practise on one game, usually roulette or blackjack, for six to nine months before learning a second game.
As a fully trained croupier you would know at least four games and understand the gambling laws as they apply to casinos.
Getting On
This is a high pressure job and there is high staff turnover, but if you stay the course you can progress.
There is a clear promotion route from casino dealer to senior dealer in charge of large scale games such as network poker, to inspector and then to team leader.
You might then be able to become a manager.
You might be able to work on cruise ships or abroad. However, you would need a great deal of experience, and possibly a work visa.
