Gaming Occupations

Certification or Licensing

All gaming workers must be licensed by a regulatory agency such as the state gaming commission or control board. In addition, many schools in resort areas offer training classes that lead to certification for workers in specific games and skills. Other schools may offer certification to students who have learned all the games. This award is called a certificate of professional casino croupier and can prepare an employee for nearly any game table position. In most states, applicants must have a license, or gaming badge, in order to participate in a training session. Most licenses, renewable every two years, cost $50 to $75.

Each casino establishes its own requirements for the training employees must have, but many casinos now offer in-house training programs to promising employees at no charge. Dealers are taught game rules, shuffling and dealing techniques, and the house regulations and procedures. In the game of blackjack, they learn to control and protect the table. Certain bases, the first and last seats at the table especially, are vulnerable to cheating.

Completion of the training program will not automatically land you a job. Dealers must showcase their skills and training at a casino game audition. Competition for good jobs is usually intense. Though some casinos only require good casino work experience as a prerequisite of their employees, your best bet will be to get certification.

Other Requirements

The minimum age for most gaming occupations is 21. Employers may also perform background checks and require prospective employees to have a clean record.