High School

Educational requirements are minimal for many positions in the gaming industry, but a high school education is preferable and personal requirements such as good diction, reliability, a good memory, and personal motivation are necessary. Good mathematical skills for making change and calculating odds are also important. Most casinos have basic math tests all applicants must pass to be considered for employment. High school math, English, and speech classes will help you develop the skills necessary for this work.

Postsecondary Training

If you are interested in a job with a higher level of responsibility, consider obtaining an associate's or bachelor's degree, emphasizing courses in business management or hospitality. Some colleges and universities—such as Morrisville State College, San Diego State University, and Tulane University—offer certificates or degrees in casino management, tribal gaming, and other areas.

New gaming dealers attend gaming schools for four to eight weeks to learn various casino games, such as blackjack, as well as state and local laws and regulations related to different games. Current workers may also attend a gaming school if they need to learn a new game.

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.

It's very difficult for high school students to get firsthand experience in this field, but you can obtain general experience in customer service by working in retail establishments. New gaming and slot supervisors typically have several years of experience working at casinos.

People in this industry must be able to work in hectic, stressful environments and enjoy meeting and working with a wide variety of people. Workers should have good communication skills, be pleasant and courteous, and enjoy their work. Quick thinking and calculating skills are necessary in almost all positions in a casino. Workers must also be responsible, alert, and completely trustworthy, since they work around large amounts of money.

Workers should understand the importance of giving good service to guests and be able to handle frustrated, unruly, or angry patrons with tact. They may face the prospect of dealing with people who do not know when to stop gambling. Workers must be able to spot potential problems and notify management without creating a disturbance in the casino.