Casino Dealer

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Gambling Casino Workers (6443.2) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Casino Occupations (G723) 
• 2011 NOC: Casino occupations (6533) 
• 2016 NOC: Casino occupations (6533) 

In general, casino dealers:

• Make sure games run smoothly, legally, and according to casino rules
• Exchange money for casino chips
• Make sure players place their bets before play begins
• Announce winning numbers or colours
• Add up payoffs and pay winning bets
• Collect losing bets
• Answer questions about game rules, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) rules and regulations, and casino policies

Specific duties vary depending on the game:

Blackjack dealers stand at a table and deal cards. They may deal from 4 or more decks, or from a shoe (a box that dispenses cards), or automatic shuffler. After all the players have decided how many cards they want, dealers compare their hands (cards) to each player’s hand to see who wins and loses.

Baccarat dealers may work in teams of up to 3 people, depending on the size of the table and number of players. When they work in teams of 3, 1 person deals cards and the other 2 pay off and collect bets.

Craps (dice game) dealers work in teams, with a box person, a stick person, and 2 dealers. The box person supervises the game, solves disputes, and controls casino chips. The stick person pushes dice to shooters (people who throw dice), retrieves thrown dice, and calls the game. The dealers pay off and collect bets, depending on the outcome of the throw.

Poker dealers shuffle and deal cards. They evaluate players’ hands to assess winning bets, take the house percentage from the pot, and pay winners.

Roulette dealers sell casino chips, spin the roulette wheel, release the ball and pay off and collect bets. During busy periods, 2 dealers may work 1 roulette table.

Casino dealers may also deal other games. Examples are let it ride, ultimate Texas hold ‘em, 3- or 4-card poker and tile pai gow.

There is a great deal of supervision in gaming. Everything is watched and filmed by surveillance cameras. This is to protect the casino, players and staff from cheating, theft, and mistakes.

Most dealers work in groups of tables called pits. They change tables regularly and have a 15-minute break every hour as business volumes allow. They must remain alert, cheerful, and helpful at all times. Many dealers are on their feet all the time except at breaks.

Dealers work shifts. They are expected to work late nights, weekends, and holidays. They may work full time or part time.

Depending on the casino, they may need to wear specific types of clothing (for example, tuxedo shirts and pants, casino uniforms, or vests) as well as an apron and nametag.

Casinos often are crowded and noisy. Dealers may sometimes deal with difficult players or players who become angry when they lose.

Casino dealers need:

• Discretion
• Honesty
• The ability to work in a team atmosphere
• Communication skills
• Manual dexterity
• The ability to count and add quickly and accurately
• Mental alertness
• Problem-solving skills
• Stress-management skills
• Interpersonal skills
• A willingness to work under close supervision
• A passion for superior service

Craps dealers must be able to keep up an enthusiastic patter during games.

Casino dealers should enjoy:

• Meeting and serving all kinds of people
• Learning customers’ needs and wants

Casino dealers work in casinos in cities or on Indigenous reserves.

Advancement is usually in the form of working at more advanced games or moving into supervisory positions. For example, dealers may start out dealing blackjack and later learn craps or roulette. Then they may advance to floor supervisor positions, overseeing table games, and dealers in a pit. Floor supervisors may become pit managers who make sure games run smoothly, schedule dealers’ breaks, watch for cheating, solve disputes, open and close table games, and do paperwork. Taking on a management role may require related post-secondary education.

Casino dealers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6533: Casino occupations. In Alberta, 96% of people employed in this classification work in the Information, Culture and Recreation [pdf] industry.

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Trends and events affecting overall employment, especially in the Information, Culture and Recreation industry
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation

Over 1,400 Albertans are employed in the Casino occupations occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.4% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 20 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As instrumental musicians form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for instrumental musicians. 

There is a relatively high employment turnover rate in this occupation so demand for new workers is fairly steady. However, there often are many applicants for vacant positions.

In Alberta, the G723: Casino Occupations occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.4% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 20 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis website: aglc.ca

Tourism HR Canada website: tourismhr.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.