How To Become a Casino Dealer

Simply put, you become a casino dealer by completing a casino dealing training course, passing a background check and getting your state or municipal license.

Do you want to gamble all day without risking your hard-earned money? Then consider becoming a casino dealer! Casino dealers are the people in charge of handling bets and payouts of casino games and can earn quite a decent salary. 

If this sounds tempting to you, then continue reading our guide as we will explain all the things you have to do to become a casino dealer within a month or two.

What is a Casino Dealer?

A casino dealer is a person who hosts a casino game like blackjack, roulette, baccarat or poker at a casino. The casino dealer represents the casino, collects all the bets and pays players out when they win. The casino dealer is also responsible for shuffling cards or placing the ball into the roulette wheel, in the case of roulette. Casino dealers also make sure nobody cheats and entertains the players to keep them playing.

If you are someone who likes to deal cards, throw dice, drop roulette balls, explain the rules of casino games and create a positive gaming atmosphere, you should definitely consider becoming a casino dealer! 

How to Become a Casino Dealer

To become a licensed casino dealer, you have to complete a casino dealing training course. In the course, you will learn all about your local state gambling laws and regulations, as well as the rules of various casino games. You will also learn how to interact with both happy and unhappy customers and how to detect possible cheaters. 

These casino dealer training programs are usually four-week programs, but some take several months to complete, depending on the number of different games and techniques taught.

Where to go to Casino Training School?

Most casino training schools can be found near or in cities that have bustling casino industries, such as Las Vegas or Oklahoma. If you want to become a casino dealer, you can choose to receive training in a single game like blackjack, or go for the entire package and learn how to host all the different games. 

We recommend learning as many games during casino dealer training as possible as this makes you a more flexible employee for the casino. In some cases, casinos offer training courses directly within their premises. When you successfully complete these courses, they will most likely hire you on the spot. 

Getting a Casino Dealer License

After completing casino dealer training, you have to get a state or municipal license before you can actually start working. The requirements for these gaming licenses are state-dependent, so be sure to check the latest regulations of your state before applying for any casino dealer jobs. Most of the time, they will do a background check, require you to pay a licensing fee and ask you to identify yourself.

Landing a Job at a Casino

Once you have finished both your casino dealer training and have obtained your license, the hunt for an actual job starts. You can expect to be asked a lot of questions by casino managers and HR staff. They do this to gauge whether or not your personality is suitable for the job. In some cases, you will have to do an audition to show your dealer skills to casino managers.

Luckily, most of the casino training schools have teachers with connections to local casinos. These teachers often help their students get a job at a reputable casino as soon as they complete the dealer training course and have obtained their license. 

Note that apart from your casino license, you also need a high school diploma or GED. You will also be required to pass a drug test and be at least 18 years old, or in some states 21 years old. It is also important to know that you aren’t likely to be hired by any casino if you have committed prior felonies or theft-related misdemeanor offenses. 

Working as a Casino Dealer at a Casino

When you’re working as a casino dealer at a casino, you will still get some on-the-job training every now and then. In the beginning, you can expect to work on a trial basis to make sure you can handle the pressure. Once you have completed the trial, you will be deployed during busier hours and sometimes during the weekends and holidays.

How Much Do Casino Dealers Make?

You can expect to make about $12 to $20 per hour as a casino dealer. This is excluding tips, which can add $10 to $100 to your hourly earnings, depending on the casino, location and stakes of the games you are hosting. There are casino dealers that make as much as $200 an hour in tips but keep in mind that you’ll have to be a very entertaining dealer in order to do so. 

Since the casino industry in the U.S. is expected to grow between 2% and 10% over the next few years, you can expect dealer salaries to increase as well. Becoming a casino dealer is a lucrative career option one could consider if living in or near a locale with profitable gambling industries.

Read our full How Much Do Casino Dealers Make? guide for more detailed casino dealer salary information.

FAQs About How to Become a Casino Dealer

The OddsJam team receives a lot of questions from viewers and readers in regards to becoming a casino dealer. For this reason, we decided to list the most frequently asked questions and provide answers to them.

Can I gamble as a casino dealer?

Every casino has its own policies, known as “house rules.” At some casinos, you aren’t allowed to gamble yourself but are free to gamble elsewhere when not on the job. Other casinos want you to refrain from gambling in its entirety. 

Do I need to be good at math to become a casino dealer?

Yes, you must be able to quickly calculate the right payouts for players and you must be able to keep track of all cards being dealt out to players. 

Will I make enough money to afford my cost of living as a Las Vegas casino dealer?

This totally depends on the effort you put into it and the number of tips you will be receiving. Most Las Vegas casino dealers are able to live in the city because of the tips they receive from generous players. Some players even have favorite dealers and only want to come and play when those dealers are on shift.

How long does it take me to become a casino dealer?

Most casino dealer school courses take between four to 12 weeks. You can apply the general rule of thumb here that the more games you want to be able to deal, the longer the casino dealing course will take. 

Am I expected to work night shifts as a casino dealer?

Yes, casinos want to be able to deploy you at any time, including late-night and early-morning shifts.