Casino croupiers, or dealers, play a crucial role in the gambling industry, as they are responsible for managing the games, distributing the cards, and making sure the rules are followed. If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a casino croupier, this guide will help you understand the steps you need to take to achieve your goal. Casino croupiers can find work all around the world, and on cruise ships too.

Background Check: Before you can work in a casino, you must pass a background check to ensure that you have no criminal record. This is essential, as you cannot get a casino job with any criminal history.

Casino School: To work in a casino, you must complete a training program at one of the many authorized casino schools. These schools offer courses in various games, such as Poker, Craps, Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, and Pai Gow Poker. The course length varies, but on average, one game takes between 50-100 hours to learn. Some schools offer set days for class, while others offer flexible hours. Some casinos may have their own in-house casino school program, and they may provide this for free.

Class Content: The classes will cover various topics, including general procedures, shuffling, card handling, appearance, security and maintenance, payoff procedures, and hands-on dealing lessons. They will likely cover cash handling, keeping yourself physically safe, and how to avoid cigarette smoke too.

Get Experience: Once you have completed the course, it’s time to start applying for jobs at different casinos. It’s important to note that competition for casino dealer positions is high in some jurisdictions, and it may be difficult to get hired at a top casino (e.g. in Las Vegas, Macau, or Atlantic City) without prior experience. A good way to gain experience and make some money is to work on a cruise ship.

Start Small: To increase your chances of getting hired, you should start by applying to smaller casinos, such as those on Indian reservations. Once you have a year or more of experience, you can move to one of the bigger casino towns, such as Vegas or Atlantic City.

Becoming a casino croupier is not an overnight task, and it requires passing a background check, completing a training program, gaining experience, and persistence. With dedication and hard work, you can achieve your goal and become a successful casino dealer. It’s a pretty recession-proof job too!