What Gaming Services Occupations Do

Gaming services workers serve customers in gambling establishments, such as casinos or racetracks. Some workers tend slot machines or deal cards. Others take bets or pay out winnings. Still others supervise gaming workers and operations.

Duties

Gaming services workers typically do the following:

• Interact with customers and ensure that they have a pleasant experience
• Monitor customers for suspicious behavior
• Inform their supervisor or a security employee of any irregularities they observe
• Enforce safety rules and report hazards

Gaming managers and supervisors direct and oversee the gaming operations and personnel in their assigned area. Supervisors circulate among the tables to make sure that everything is running smoothly and that all areas are properly staffed. Gaming managers and supervisors typically do the following:

• Keep an eye on customers and employees to make sure that all rules are followed
• Address customers’ complaints about service
• Explain house operating rules, such as betting limits, if customers do not understand them
• Schedule when and where employees in their section will work
• Interview, hire, and train new employees

Slot supervisors oversee the activities of the slot department. The job duties of this occupation have changed significantly, as slot machines have become more automated. Because most casinos use video slot machines that give out tickets instead of cash and thus require very little oversight, workers in this occupation spend most of their time providing customer service to slot players. Slot supervisors typically do the following:

• Watch over the slot section and ensure that players are satisfied with the games
• Provide input when new slot machines are purchased
• Determine if unpopular machines should be replaced
• Decide on where to put machines to maximize the number of customers playing at a time
• Refill machines with tickets or money when they run out
• Reset cash slot machines after a payout

Gaming dealers operate table games such as craps, blackjack, and roulette. They stand or sit behind tables while serving customers. Dealers control the pace and action of the game. They announce each player’s move to the rest of the table and let players know when it is their turn. Most dealers can work with at least two games, usually blackjack or craps. Gaming dealers typically do the following:

• Give out cards and provide dice or other equipment to customers
• Determine winners, calculate and pay off winning bets, and collect on losing bets
• Continually inspect cards or dice
• Inform players of the rules of the game
• Keep track of the amount of money that customers have already bet
• Exchange paper money for gaming chips

Gaming and sports book writers and runners handle bets on sporting events and take and record bets for customers. Sports book writers and runners also verify tickets and pay out winning tickets. In addition, they help run games such as bingo and keno. Some gaming runners collect winning tickets from customers in a casino. Gaming and sports book writers and runners typically do the following:

• Scan tickets and calculate winnings
• Operate the equipment that randomly selects bingo or keno numbers
• Announce bingo or keno numbers when they are selected
• Are responsible for the cash that comes in (on bets) and goes out (on winnings) during their shift

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition