High School

Education and training requirements vary from job to job. Casino managers are generally required to hold a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. Classes in business, English, math, and marketing will be useful.

Post Secondary Training

While formal education is not always required for casino managers, it may be preferred. It should be noted that experience can generally be substituted for educational requirements. There are a number of post secondary educational options for those interested in pursuing additional education.

States hosting a large gaming industry often have schools which offer casino management certificate programs. These programs run one year or less in length and cover operations management, hospitality, human resources, and gaming regulations among other areas.

There are colleges which offer associate’s degree programs in casino management or gaming operations management. These programs too, are generally located in states hosting large numbers of casinos. Courses in these programs include those in a basic liberal arts program plus courses specific to the gaming industry including casino management, gaming law, casino security, business communications, and human resources.

There are also colleges and universities which offer bachelor’s degrees in gaming management. In some instances, the degree may be in hospitality with a specialization in gaming management. Courses include basic liberal arts and business as well as casino accounting, casino marketing, management strategies, gaming law, gaming information systems, casino security, and hospitality.

Other Education and Training

Casino managers need to be trained as dealers in various table games including blackjack, poker, roulette, and baccarat. This training can be obtained in gaming academies, dealer schools or through in-house training programs.

Individuals aspiring to careers as casino managers might also attend in-house management training programs or gaming schools, academies, or institutes located throughout the country in areas hosting gaming. Classes in basic casino operations, surveillance, security, floor management, gaming regulations, marketing, and customer services will be helpful.

Certification or Licensing

Casino managers must be licensed in the state in which they work. This license is generally issued by a regulatory agency such as the state's casino control board or commission. For specific licensing requirements, visit your state’s gaming commission website.

Other Requirements

Employers generally conduct background checks of prospective casino managers, require that they have no criminal record, and pass a drug test. Casino managers must also meet the position's age requirement set by the state.

Extensive experience working in the gaming industry is necessary for this position. Depending on the specific job, individuals are generally required to have a minimum of five to seven years working in gaming industry with three to five of those in a supervisory and management capacity.

Casino managers must have a total knowledge of table games and generally start out as dealers. After obtaining experience they become floor persons, pit bosses, and shift bosses.

Individuals need a wide array of skills to be successful in this job. Supervisory skills are necessary. Good verbal communication skills are essential. Casino managers must be personable people with the ability to promote good customer service. They must also be able to instill that ability in their employees.

Individuals should additionally be detail oriented with good problem solving skills. Tact and diplomacy are imperative. The ability to speak a second language, while not required, may give one applicant an edge over another.