How To Become An Online Casino Dealer

Have you ever found yourself at a blackjack table, and wondered what it would be like to switch roles and be a dealer? Lucky for you, we're here to tell you how to transition into the role of a casino dealer!

In this video, our very own casino tipster Seánie fills you in on what it takes to become a casino dealer, as he discusses what you will need to succeed. He also speaks about the expected salary, and which shifts are most profitable. So get ready to take notes!

Quick Answer

Here is a quick overview of what the role of an online casino dealer consists of and what you can expect.

Casino dealers don't need specific qualifications to be in the gaming industry. However, they need to go to dealer school to learn the ins and outs of state laws, house rules, and the elements of the games.
Dealers have a multi-faceted role and are required for multiple games, not just table games.
Dealers need to be excellent at communication skills and dealing with people.
They need to be good at math and have a high school diploma or equivalent. They should also attend a training course at the dealer school.
They should possess soft skills, good concentration, and excellent hand-eye coordination.
Employers require a good work ethic and no criminal record.
Basic wages are a safety net, most of the salary is based on tips.
Work is divided into 8-hour shifts, with the nighttime shift being the most desirable to be at the tables.

image of a slot mashine with dice and chips

Becoming a Casino Dealer

There are several live dealer games in the casino establishment, so you know there will always be a demand for live dealers at the casino. The most popular ones include the following:

Poker
Blackjack or 21
Baccarat
Craps
Dice Games
Roulette and European Roulette

What is a Casino Dealer?

Casino dealers run the games played by customers in gaming establishments. They cultivate the relationship between the casino and the patrons by performing several duties within many roles. Not everyone can be a casino dealer. You need people skills and good communication to perform the job properly.

A casino dealer handles table games like card games. They are the card dealer, take bets from the player and keep an eye on the game's proceedings to prevent cheating. Additionally, during gameplay, they manage the betting pot and pay out the winnings after each hand gets played. On the other hand, for games that don't require live dealers, like slot machines, their responsibility is to help the guests and pay out their winnings. Furthermore, they also check for cheaters and theft, which they tip off to security.

As demonstrated, the occupation is multi-faceted, with multiple responsibilities requiring skill, concentration, the right attitude, and effective communication.

What are the Requirements of the Job?

Dealers must have detailed, in-depth knowledge of the games they deal with: from the game rules to the payouts, minimum and maximum bets, and side bet rules.
They must understand the overarching state gaming regulations and the casino's rules: For example, one casino might allow guests to play simultaneous hands of blackjack. In contrast, others restrict players to playing only two.
Soft skills or people skills that will help them fit in the workplace: Soft skills are essential for success as a dealer. These include communication, whereby you can listen to, negotiate with and persuade the customer. Critical thinking, leadership skills for conflict resolution and management, and a positive attitude to deal with challenges.
Work ethic: the atmosphere of a casino or any casino game demands integrity, dependability, endurance, and multitasking. You must operate at a certain level; it is not everyone's cup of tea.
Flexibility: as a dealer, you will need to work shifts. If you have any issues with working nights, and chances are you will work lots of nights, this isn't the correct career path for you.
Maths skills: They should have maths skills as they will be required to calculate on their feet and account for how many chips are dealt and how much is paid out.

What Does a Casino Dealer Do?

A casino dealer has a variety of responsibilities:

He or she must explain the game's rules to all the new players. If they see that someone is confused, they must take the initiative and walk them through the rules with examples.
They have to carry out various procedures like dealing with the cards, dropping the roulette ball, and giving players dice to throw.
They have to collect bets from players and pay out the winnings while doing fast calculations in their heads.
They have to safeguard the betting pot and prevent theft from happening.
Dealers have to assist with any machine malfunctions that may occur.
They have to ensure that the guests comply with the rules and regulations. If the guests fail to do so after being reprimanded, they must contact the casino manager or the floor manager.
They have to work with security staff to keep a lookout for and report any suspicious behaviour.
They must handle customers with charm and an easygoing camaraderie that doesn't breach the rules of professionalism. Maintaining a balance is incredibly important.

How to Become a Casino Dealer

Here is how to become a casino dealer:

Have The Right Passion And Interests

Becoming a casino dealer does not require specific qualifications. On average, you need a GED/high school diploma or equivalent like GCSEs. You must, however, have a strong grade in maths. It's also helpful to have a passion for the casino industry, a genuine interest in the casino games offered, and the ability to keep yourself collected in a busy environment.

You need to have discipline, control, and excellent hand-eye coordination to keep things running smoothly. Your abilities to handle people are more crucial, as you will be playing multiple roles and performing various tasks during the game. Another important element is confidence and the ability to hold your own in your position as a dealer. There will be a lot of times when your authority as a pit boss is challenged.

Enrol in Dealer School

If you have all these qualities, enrolling in dealer school is next.

Places with multiple casinos have dealer schools, like Vegas, or training programs for dealers. Some casino establishments even offer their own casino dealer programs - you can vet the workplace culture and environment of the casino through these. Most casinos that offer training courses offer successful students employment within their establishment once the course is complete. This is often the case for new casinos or casinos that want to expand their services.

In the course, you will learn about each game's local and state gambling laws, rules, regulations, tools, and procedures. You can choose between a basic course that covers only one game or extensive courses that cover more than one game. You will have better job stability and flexibility if you learn about more than one game offered at the casino.

You will learn about the proper process for working as a dealer. You will also learn about the security aspects of the job, such as picking up on body language cues and other techniques for spotting cheaters. The duration of training courses varies. They take up to four weeks or 12 weeks, depending on the number of games you are learning about and the program quality.

Get a Licence

Some countries require a gaming licence for you to start working. Check your country's laws before applying for jobs - this is a high priority. You might need to provide several items for the application, such as a background check and proof of identity. You may also have to pay a small licensing fee to the authority.

Apply For Jobs

The next obvious step is to get a job. The application process is thorough as casino managers interview the applicants to check whether their personality is a good fit for the job. Applicants will also be asked to demonstrate their dealing skills. It is important to note that casino dealers should have no prior felonies or theft-related offences. In addition, they need to pass a drug test and be of legal age, which is 21 in Ireland. You also need to be able to handle all types of people politely.

Other Details

Average Pay

The average salary for casino dealers in Ireland is €13 per hour or €26,044 per year. Remember that almost 60% of the salary is based on tips. If you are good, you might earn up to €200 in tips in one day. Tips depend on how well your interactions with players go, the attitudes of players, how they are doing in the game, etc. The job outlook for casino dealers is also good in Ireland, as the government approved several gaming establishments recently. So it can be expected to grow in the coming years.

Hours

Your work hours can be demanding, especially if you are on your feet all day. Shifts are divided into morning, afternoon, and night - the night shifts are the most lucrative for obvious reasons. Shifts are usually 8 hours.

image of an Irishman with red beard and a green hat

Industry

Casino dealers are usually found on casino floors and poker rooms. They are also needed in places such as cruise ships, event companies that host casino nights, and fundraising organisations that host table games and raise money through gameplay.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are quite a few questions about becoming a casino dealer. We’ll address the most common ones below.

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

Casino training programs are full-time basic courses that run for three months. Extensive courses that impart comprehensive education covering multiple games run for longer.

What are a casino dealer's hours?

Almost all casinos run 24/7. Casinos run daily and overnight - the work gets divided into shifts with one break. Flexibility is important. To become a casino dealer, you need to be flexible with your hours and be comfortable working day or night. You should also expect to work during the holidays, as players flock to high-life cities like Las Vegas and play casino games until the sun comes up.

What is a casino dealer's salary?

How much you make as a casino dealer depends on your location and the casino you work at. In addition, a dealer's base salary is often augmented by tips from happy customers - the basic wage is simply a safety net.

Do I need to be good at mathematics as a casino dealer?

Yes, the best casino dealers are good at numbers. It is a requirement of the industry, alongside communication and customer service skills. One of the dealer's responsibilities is to do quick and accurate calculations in their head when they pay the winnings. They must also be focused and sharp to keep track of the cards/chips they have dealt and the bets placed by gamblers.

Can casino dealers gamble where they work?

It depends on the house rules of the casino. Each casino has a different policy. Some casinos prohibit dealers from gambling in their work casinos, while others prevent them from gambling entirely. A few allow dealers to gamble in-house, but they can not do that while working and not in the section where they are the pit bosses.

How much does it cost to become a casino dealer?

There are no formal education requirements for casino dealers or other gaming jobs. Most casinos require a high school diploma or equivalent, like a GED. The person should also be of legal age, 18 or 21, depending on which city they seek employment in.

Casino Mentor

Seánie O'Brien

Casino Adviser

Seánie has plenty of experience in the casino world and enjoys sharing this accumulated knowledge. He offers great tips and tricks for players to enjoy casinos safely.

Expert on:

Casino TipsMyth BusterGambling Insights

Fact Checked By Rebecca Mackay