How to Become a Gambling Service Worker

Derrick Mbabazi

17 Jun 2025 — 7 min read

Gambling services workers are the people who keep casinos and betting places running. You’ll find them at casinos, racetracks, and other gaming spots. Some deal cards, others take bets or help customers win prizes. A few are in charge of making sure everything runs smoothly.

They make sure games are fair, rules are followed, and customers are having fun.

What Do They Do on the Job?

Gambling workers usually:

Talk with customers and help them enjoy their time
Watch for cheating or rule-breaking
Report problems to security or a boss
Explain how to play games
Follow safety rules and help keep others safe

Types of Gambling Services Jobs

Let’s break down the main roles:

Gambling Dealers

Run table games like blackjack, craps, or roulette
Explain the rules and help players take turns
Handle the cards or dice, take bets, and pay winners
Usually trained in more than one game

Sports Book Writers and Runners

Take bets on sports events
Help with games like bingo or keno
Record bets and pay out winning tickets
Some runners collect tickets from players

First-Line Supervisors

Watch over dealers and other workers
Make sure tables and machines are staffed
Step in if something goes wrong
Floor supervisors focus on table games
Slot supervisors manage slot machine areas

Gambling Managers

Run the whole casino or gaming area
Set rules and limits for betting
Handle customer problems
Hire and train new workers

Work Environment for Gambling Services Workers

Where they work, what it’s like, and when they work.

Where They Work

In 2023, there were about 149,300 gambling services jobs in the U.S. Here's how that breaks down:

Gambling dealers – 86,800
Supervisors – 33,200
Writers and runners – 9,600
Managers – 5,300
Other gambling workers – 14,500

Top Places They Work

Most gambling workers are employed at:

Casino hotels – 30%
Government-run places (like tribal casinos or state-run operations) – 26%
Other gambling businesses (not hotels) – 26%
Self-employed (like working games at private events) – 8%
Sports arenas or race tracks – 3%

What It's Like on the Job

Dealers stand or sit for long hours at game tables.
Supervisors and managers walk around the casino floor, checking in on workers and games.
Most work in busy, loud places with flashing lights, ringing machines, and people talking or cheering.
In some casinos, smoking indoors is allowed, which means workers may be around secondhand smoke.
In certain areas (like money-counting rooms), protective headgear may be used for safety.

Work Hours

Casinos never close—they run 24/7. That means:

Most workers have full-time jobs, but part-time is also common
You’ll likely work nights, weekends, and holidays—when casinos are busiest
Schedules can change often, especially during big events or busy seasons

How to Become a Gambling Services Worker

Steps to get the job, plus skills you’ll need

Education

To work in most gambling jobs, you usually need a high school diploma or GED. Dealers, runners, and supervisors mostly only need a high school education to get started. Gambling managers, on the other hand, might need some college or even a degree—it depends on the employer. If they do go to college, they may study casino management, hotel management, hospitality, or business to prepare for the role.

Training

Training depends on the job and the employer. Dealers usually go to a special gambling school for a few weeks, where they learn how to deal games like blackjack or craps. They also learn the rules, how to talk to players, and the state gambling laws. Some dealers return to school later to learn new games. Even if you finish gambling school, you might still need to audition to get hired. Writers and runners, like those who take sports bets, usually get trained on the job, and their training often takes less than a month.

Licensing

To work in this field, you must get a license from your state.

You’ll need to:

Show a photo ID
Pay a fee
Pass a background check and a drug test

If you fail the background check, you can’t get the license—or the job.

⚠️ Age limits and other rules vary by state. To know exactly what’s needed, check your state’s gambling commission website.

Work Experience

If you want to become a supervisor or manager, you’ll need years of experience—often starting as a dealer or working in customer service.

Slot and table games supervisors usually worked those same areas first
Gambling managers may have been dealers, supervisors, or worked in marketing or hospitality

How to Move Up

There are chances to grow in this field:

Dealers can become supervisors
Supervisors can become managers
Some managers move up from other casino jobs like hotel or hospitality managers, after learning how everything works

Important Skills to Have

These are the key qualities good gambling workers need:

Good communication – You have to explain games clearly
Customer service – Friendly service keeps people coming back
Leadership – If you’re a supervisor or manager, you lead the team
Math skills – You’ll deal with cash and payouts
Organizational skills – Especially important for managers keeping things in order
Patience – You’ll handle tough customers or technical problems calmly

Here’s the Pay section written in clear, 8th-grade English with only the needed bullet points:

Pay

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median yearly pay for gambling services workers as of May 2024 was $35,630. That means half of the workers earned more than that amount, and half earned less.

The lowest-paid 10% made less than $22,880 a year.
The highest-paid 10% made more than $80,780 a year.

Pay can be different depending on the job:

Gambling managers earned about $85,580
Supervisors made around $61,590
Other gambling workers earned about $34,530
Dealers made about $33,280
Sports book writers and runners earned around $30,460

Pay also changes depending on where you work. Here are some examples:

Government jobs paid about $40,070
Jobs in sports settings paid around $38,440
Non-hotel gambling places paid about $35,740
Casino hotels paid about $31,510

Most people in this job work full time. Since casinos stay open all day, every day, many workers have shifts on nights, weekends, and holidays. Part-time work is also common.

Job Outlook

Jobs for gambling services workers are expected to grow 3% between 2023 and 2033. That’s about the same as the average for all jobs.

Each year, there should be about 23,300 job openings. Most of these will come from workers who retire or leave to do something else.

Why These Jobs Are Growing

Gambling is becoming more popular. More people are going to casinos and gambling spots. Some states that don’t allow casinos now might approve them soon, which would create more jobs.

Online gambling is growing, too. This could reduce the need for some in-person jobs—especially for workers who take bets or run games—because websites don’t need as many employees.
Competition is getting tougher. If a casino doesn’t attract enough customers, it might shut down. That could cancel out new jobs created by other places.

So, while more casinos and gambling websites may open, not every new job is guaranteed to last. The job outlook depends a lot on how well these places do.

Similar Jobs to Gambling Services Workers

If you’re interested in gambling services work, you might also like these jobs. They involve helping people, handling money, or keeping places running smoothly.

Customer Service Representatives

They answer questions, solve problems, and take orders from customers—often over the phone or online.
Pay: $42,830 a year
Education: High school diploma or equivalent

Financial Clerks

They help customers with payments and records. This job includes roles like bank tellers or billing clerks.
Pay: $48,650 a year
Education: High school diploma or equivalent

Lodging Managers

These workers make sure hotels or motels run well and that guests have a good stay.
Pay: $68,130 a year
Education: High school diploma or equivalent

Public Relations Specialists

They help companies or people look good in the public eye, like writing press releases or managing social media.
Pay: $69,780 a year
Education: Bachelor’s degree

Public Relations or Fundraising Managers

They lead teams that manage a company’s image or raise money for nonprofits.
Pay: $132,870 a year
Education: Bachelor’s degree

Retail Sales Workers

They sell things like clothes, electronics, or tools in stores and help customers find what they need.
Pay: $34,730 a year
Education: No formal education needed

Sales Managers

They lead teams that sell products or services and help grow business.
Pay: $138,060 a year
Education: Bachelor’s degree

Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers

They help keep casinos and other places safe by watching for theft or bad behavior.
Pay: $38,390 a year
Education: High school diploma or equivalent

Absolutely! Here's a summary and final thoughts section, written in clear 8th-grade English with a smooth, professional tone:

Summary

Gambling services workers are the people who help run casinos and other betting places. They deal cards, explain games, take bets, pay out winnings, and make sure everyone follows the rules. Some work as dealers, others as supervisors, managers, or even writers and runners who handle sports bets.

You don’t need a college degree to start—most jobs only ask for a high school diploma. Some dealers go to gambling school to learn how to run games like blackjack or roulette. Managers and supervisors usually get promoted after gaining experience. To work in this field, you’ll also need a license, which means passing a background check and drug test.

Most gambling jobs are fast-paced and involve working nights, weekends, or holidays. Some places allow smoking indoors, and it can be noisy, especially in busy casinos.

In 2024, the average pay for gambling workers was about $35,630 a year. Managers earned more, while entry-level workers earned less. Job growth is expected to be steady, with more than 23,000 job openings each year, mostly because of people retiring or switching careers.

Final Thoughts

Working in the gambling industry isn’t just about luck—it’s about people, service, and knowing the games inside out. If you enjoy fast-moving environments, are good with numbers, and like helping customers, this might be a great fit. There are paths to move up the ladder, from dealing cards to managing an entire casino floor.

It’s not for everyone, but for the right person, it can be an exciting and rewarding career. Just be ready to work odd hours—and bring your best game face.