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 or manage 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 violations of gaming regulations or casino policies
• Inform their supervisor or a security employee of any irregularities they observe
• Enforce safety rules and report hazards
• Explain how to play the games to customers

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 ensure compliance with all gaming and casino rules
• Communicate with other departments if security or customer-service issues arise
• Address customers' complaints about service
• Explain house operating rules, such as betting limits, if customers do not understand them
• Ensure payouts are correct
• 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 in recent years. 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
• Refill machines with tickets or money when they run out
• Pay large jackpots
• Reset cash slot machines after a payout
• Respond to and resolve customer complaints
• Interview, hire, and train new employees

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 are often required to work 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
• Oversee the cash that comes in (on bets) and goes out (on winnings) during their shift