If you enjoy gambling but want a bit more stability in your career path than being a gambler brings, why not consider becoming a casino general manager?
Guest author Joe Booth shares insight on the role of a casino general manager and your path to get that post. To find out more about Joe Booth, overview here.
Being a casino general manager comes with a host of benefits. You can continue to be involved in the gambling scene, with none of the volatility that comes from gambling. While lucky casino staff may, in some cases, make more than you in tips when they catch the eye of a high-roller in the midst of a hot streak, your steady income will open up more doors for you – not just in the casino industry, but also in life.
What do casino general managers do, in the first place? Well, a little bit of everything.
Casino general managers make sure that everything in the casino is in tip-top shape. If you’ve only been to a casino as a player, it would be hard to pinpoint exactly how casino managers help your gaming experience. The fact that you can’t directly perceive their work means they are doing their job well, as you are so focused on your gaming. The job pays decently too, with a $74,700 median salary.
Being a casino general manager in the United Kingdom can pay out even more but the pressure can also be more. A lot of UK players would prefer to play free online slots from the comfort of their home than to go out and take up a role as a casino general manager. However, if life in casino management sounds appealing to you, then read on.
In this article, we delve into the nitty-gritty of what is required to have a gaming manager career. Here are our top four things you need to get yourself on the fast track.
Get Your Bachelor’s Degree
While a bachelor’s degree is not necessary for all casino management postings, possessing a diploma helps put your name at the top of the pile. Some great courses to consider are hotel management, hospitality, or any business-related field. These courses help prepare you for the day-to-day life of a casino manager: you learn all about customer service, regulations, security, marketing, and accounting.
If you are lucky enough to be close to a university that offers a gaming management degree, you will learn the same things, but tailored more to a gaming-oriented career. You also get the inside track on internships.
Get Your State License
Different states have different gambling regulations. Most require casino managers to have a state license. What you need to earn this license depends on the specific state you plan to work in. We suggest you conduct a Google search on your state’s gaming regulators to get a clearer sense of what is required.
All states will require you to pass a background check. Some states may require you to be a resident to get your license, so it is often better to know the requirements as soon as possible so you can plan your next moves.
Get Experience
Most casinos require their managers to have experience on the floor. Typically, this involves at least five years’ experience. Existing casino employees have an advantage in this regard—many casinos promote from within.
As a casino manager, you will be expected to supervise the performance of all casino employees. It helps tremendously to know all about the different types of work that makes a casino function. Rising through the casino ranks gives you awareness of the things that keep a casino ticking.
If you are looking for a long-term casino management career, definitely look into casinos that offer management training programs. As a fresh college graduate, you can get a casino job with a track toward obtaining a casino manager title down the line.
Spending some time as a casino dealer or a supervisor can help prepare you for when you are in the big seat.
Get an Advanced Degree
If you really want to separate yourself from the pack, one of the best ways to do so is to obtain a postgraduate degree. In the business world, this generally means getting a Master’s degree in Business Administration, or what is often referred to as an MBA.
If you went to a university that offers a gaming management degree, you can look into obtaining an MBA from the same school with a casino-oriented focus.
If you are unable to find such a school, graduate degrees in hospitality and business can also help you gain the necessary skills and competencies to keep you in the running for the best casino manager jobs.
Conclusion:
If you are serious about becoming a casino general manager, set it as a goal and work diligently towards it as it can be a very lucrative paying job.