If you are a gambling enthusiast, a few jobs feel more desirable than being a casino dealer. You can be part of the games you already enjoy and have someone pay you for it.
What’s better than that?
Not to mention the fact you get to witness some jaw-dropping winning moments and learn some unheard-of tips from players.
What’s more, the number of newly opened casinos doesn’t seem to be wearing down, leading to an increased demand for dealers. However, like any other person considering a new job, you’re probably wondering how much casino dealers make.
I’ve done a fair bit of research on this topic, so I’m ready to present you with the numbers and facts about being a casino dealer you need to know before applying for the position.
Keep reading to learn all the details. Short on time? Check out our summary video below:
How Much Can You Make?
While the exact sum you will be able to earn working as a casino dealer depends on a specific casino, and a number of other factors, all casino dealer positions have certain things in common when it comes to salary.
One of the first things to keep in mind is that the base pay most casinos offer is not particularly substantial, especially if you are a novice.
While good numeracy and customer service skills are a prerequisite for the job, you don’t need any qualifications or education to become a casino dealer.
- Most dealers are paid a minimum wage, although some establishments may offer up to $10 or more per hour for experienced dealers.
To calculate the average annual pay, we also have to take into account the number of working hours you can get.
Unfortunately, casino dealers usually can’t get a full 40-hour workweek, so you will probably be looking at a sum of $16,000 to $20,000 a year.
Of course, this is not an impressive sum by any standard, and it’s barely enough to make a living. However, the bulk of what casino dealers earn in a year doesn’t come from their base pay. Like any person working in the service industry, you will make a considerable sum through tips.
While players don’t tip casino dealers in every country, it is a very common practice in the United States, and it raises the salary substantially. Of course, it is difficult to say exactly how much you can expect to gather with tips included since this is such a variable factor.
- Nonetheless, some rough estimates state that casino dealers’ salaries can get up to between $30,000 and $60,000 when we consider players’ generosity.
How much you’ll earn in tips largely depends on the popularity of the casino you work for and the stakes you are dealing with. Therefore, dealers working in high-end casinos serving high-stakes tables will have an opportunity to get higher tips and likely have a higher base pay. According to certain sources, this can bring your annual salary up to $100,000.
As a casino dealer, you can expect your tips to be anywhere between a few dollars up to $50+ on an hourly basis, dispensing on the generosity of the players, the games you’re operating, and how busy the casino is.
Factors That Influence a Casino Dealer’s Salary
As I’ve already mentioned, experience plays a huge role in how much you’re going to be paid as a casino dealer, which is not very different from any other job out there.
- Note: As a beginner dealer, you can expect to be assigned to less popular games that are slower-paced and attract less generous players.
Another factor to take into account is that you may not be able to work all year long.
The job of a casino dealer can be seasonal, and you may only be offered work during a particularly busy period when many tables are open, which can greatly influence your annual earnings.
While I did mention that dealers tend to earn more at casinos with a better standing, this is not a general rule.
However, if you’re an experienced dealer who’s made it up to the high-roller tables, you’d definitely want to work for a high-end casino that attracts VIP players as they are more likely to leave better tips.
Unfortunately, landing a position at a luxury resort or a casino is not an easy feat.
Nevertheless, wherever you work, the amount of money you earn in tips will largely depend on the games you’re dealing, and your customer service skills. The more skilled you are and the more the players like you, the more money you will earn.
How to Get Better Tips as a Casino Dealer
Even the best casino dealers know that there’s no magic formula they can use to make players leave bigger tips. You can, however, strive to become the best dealer in your casino and, in that way, attract more players to your table. Once the ball gets rolling, you should stick to a simple list of dos and don’ts if you want that extra money:
- Remember regulars — Players who live near the casino you work at will probably come to your venue more than any other. Give your best to acknowledge them and use subtle ways to show appreciation for their loyalty to the casino. This will make them feel special and motivate them to tip you more.
- Don’t force players into tipping — No matter how well you know your regulars or how kind players at your table appear, never try to talk your way into bigger tips. Casino players don’t appreciate being manipulated, and this tactic can only result in getting even smaller tips, if any.
- Don’t play favorites — New players deserve to feel seen and valued as much as regulars; after all, you never know how generous they might turn out in the end. That’s why you should communicate with everyone at your table and keep them entertained as much as possible without favoring one over another.
This leads me to the next crucial factor you need to have in mind — you need to be agreeable and a people person to succeed as a casino dealer.
- Note: The better you can tolerate difficult customers and be friendly and polite, the higher and more frequent tips you will earn.
If you’d rather not deal with different types of people daily, I highly recommend you consider another profession.
To Be or Not to Be?
Admittedly, being a casino dealer is not a perfect job, but can you find one that is?
While it certainly has some drawbacks I felt obligated to mention in this article, it also offers amazing benefits, especially if you develop the right skills and have enough experience.
Although the base pay in most casinos is not incentivizing or desirable, it helps to know your salary can increase manifold through tips.
Naturally, the players’ generosity is not entirely under your control, but you can definitely influence it by being friendly and offering superb service.
Therefore, if you are a people person and a casino enthusiast that doesn’t mind differing salaries and non-standard working hours, being a casino dealer may be the right career fit for you.
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