Why We Love It
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$21,810Potential Avg. Salary
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0.6%Job Growth Rate
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Growing DemandJob Outlook
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Dependable Daily WorkloadCareer Attribute
Casino dealers earn a living dealing games like blackjack, poker, baccarat, craps, and roulette at casinos. They hand out cards to players, control the pace of games, help inexperienced players learn the rules, determine winners, and calculate payouts. Most dealers specialize in dealing multiple types of games.
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What is a Casino Dealer?
The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in casino dealer roles:
- Orchestrate play on table games like blackjack, poker, baccarat, craps, and roulette
- Explain and enforce the rules of the game
- Shuffle cards by hand or using a shuffling machine, and deal cards to players
- Exchange money for chips and calculate payouts for winning hands
- Inspect game equipment for tampering, and observe players for signs of cheating
A Day in the Life
Casino dealers work in casinos and orchestrate table games. They commonly specialize in dealing two table games, though they may be trained in dealing more. Most casino dealers start their careers dealing blackjack and roulette. If they’re successful, they may be trained to deal more advanced games like poker, craps, or baccarat. Because the job requires serious concentration, casino dealers commonly switch tables throughout the night and take a break every hour while working to stay sharp and rested.
Casino dealers have many responsibilities. For example, blackjack dealers begin games by shuffling six decks of cards together. They may shuffle the cards by hand or using a shuffling machine. They then accept bets for hands and deal cards to players. While dealing, the dealer must calculate the values of each hand to determine winners and busts, and must signal to players when it’s their turn. They also exchange money for chips, deliver payouts to winners, and accept tips for their work.
When working with inexperienced players, dealers must explain the rules of the game while also working to maintain the pace of the game. Additionally, they observe the table, players, and equipment for signs of tampering or cheating—looking for bent cards, altered dice, or signs that cards are being counted. When a dealer notices signs of cheating, he/she will inform the pit boss of suspicions to get a second set of eyes on the table to determine if players are attempting to scheme the game or system.
Typical Work Schedule
Most casino dealers work full-time schedules, but their working hours can be irregular. In some areas, casinos are open 24-hours a day, so dealers may be required to work first, second, or third shifts. Additionally, weekend and holiday work is commonly required, and since casinos are most popular during the evening and on weekends, most dealers work these shifts more often than others.
Typical Employers
Casino dealers are employed by casinos—both large and small—throughout the U.S. The largest employers of casino dealers are the biggest casino chains in the country, including Hard Rock, Caesars, MGM, Wynn, and Horseshoe, among others.
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How To Become a Casino Dealer
There are a couple of paths you can take to become a casino dealer. First, most casino dealer positions require only a high school diploma, so college coursework is infrequently a prerequisite. All dealers, however, must go through dealer training for each table game they deal. For individuals who know they want to work as a casino dealer, one option is to enroll in a dealer training program that’s unaffiliated with any one casino. These programs can help aspiring dealers get their foot in the door at casinos.
Another option is to be trained as a dealer by the casino you work at. While casinos may be willing to train new hires, more often they train existing employees from other departments. Taking a job working in another role in a casino and proving that you’re a reliable and trustworthy employee can help you successfully apply for dealer training when courses are being offered. The benefit of this route is that it costs nothing out of pocket; the disadvantage is that you have to work in another role before training.
Casinos are strictly mandated by state laws as well as self-regulated because of the large amounts of money that pass through the business. For this reason, new employees and dealers are thoroughly vetted before they’re hired. If you have a criminal history or have been accused of theft, embezzlement, or related crimes, you will likely not qualify to work as a casino dealer. Before being offered a job, dealers commonly must provide fingerprints, must undergo a thorough background check, and may also be required to undergo a credit check to look for signs of debt problems.
Casino Dealer Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$17,580Average
$21,810High Range
$34,780National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$8/hrAverage
$10/hrHigh Range
$17/hrHow do Casino Dealer salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Casino Dealer's can make an average annual salary of $21,810, or $10 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make $17,580 or $8 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#802 Nationally for All Careers
Programs and Degrees
Here are the most common degrees for becoming a Casino Dealer. a is usually recommended and specifically a degree or coursework that prepares you for the particular field, see below.
Highest Education Among Casino Dealers
- 0.2% Doctorate
- 1.3% Masters
- 12.6% Bachelors
- 9.9% Associates
- 32.6% College
- 32.5% High School
- 10.8% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
68,5002024 Est. Jobs
68,900Job Growth Rate
0.6%Est. New Jobs
400How does Casino Dealer job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 400 jobs for a total of 68,900 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 0.6% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#588 Nationally for All Careers
What Companies Employ The Most Casino Dealers
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casino hotels | 35,300 | -1,300 | -1% |
| Gambling industries (except casino hotels) | 23,300 | 1,000 | 1% |
| Self-employed workers | 3,500 | 300 | 0% |
