Become a Croupier

At the end of March 2008 there were 144 casinos operating in the UK, offering training and jobs, and you can even work as a croupier on a cruise ship.

Croupiers and dealers throw dice, spin the roulette wheel and deal cards. Work includes checking that all gambling chips are placed on the table before the start of play, explaining the rules to players, collecting chips from losing bets, keeping a look out for cheats, and mentally calculating payouts to winners.

Croupiers have to work quickly and maintain concentration for long periods. An understanding of the different games, from poker to craps and roulette, is vital.

Croupiers need a range of skills to be good at their job. They must be calm, tactful, presentable, good with people and skilled at defusing the tension that can arise when someone loses a big bet.

It is also essential to have good numeracy skills and be able to make quick mental calculations. While most croupiers are under 35 years old, age is no barrier to entry.

Croupier training

Formal academic qualifications are not necessary, although there are some courses that give an introduction to the sector, with some colleges offering diplomas in Casino Operations, and Gambling Studies degrees are even available at some universities.

Contact casinos directly for details of trainee vacancies. You can find a listing on the British Casino Association website.

At an interview, you may be asked to pass a mental arithmetic test to show that you can calculate odds and payments. If accepted, you’ll be paid to take an on-the-job training course lasting six to eight weeks. To work on a gaming floor you need a gaming licence, awarded by the Gaming Board of Great Britain.

You cannot work if you have a criminal record, and checks on your background will be carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau.

Croupier jobs

Croupiers generally work shifts, which are often 2pm to 10pm and 10pm to 6am. This will include weekends and bank holidays, and workers can expect to be on their feet for long periods.

Croupiers’ pay starts at around £18,000 in London and £12,000 to £13,000 in the rest of the UK for trainees.

After two years’ work experience, it’s possible to apply to work on cruise ships or in the top casinos in Monte Carlo and Las Vegas. Competition is stiff and you will have to pass an “audition”, though the job can be very rewarding.

Once experienced, a croupier can progress to being a gaming inspector, managing two dealing tables. Inspectors check compliance with company procedures and standards and with the Gaming Act. Working under the direction of a “pit boss”, inspectors look out for suspicious behaviour, act as initial arbiters of any disputes with players, and check that large payouts are justified and correct.

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Useful sites by the government for job seekers include the Employment Direct Gov site for the latest legal advice on employment.