If you love spending time at the casino, working at one might be a great option for you. Let’s take a look at what you need to know to work in the gambling industry:

Types of Jobs

In a casino, becoming a balckjack dealer or working as a pit supervisor aren’t your only options. There are a lot of common casino jobs that you can choose, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box as well and pursue one of these jobs:

• Bingo Caller
• Race Book Writer or Cashier
• Slot Machine Technician
• Security Officer
• Marketing and Sales Directors
• Limousine Drivers
• Hotel Manager
• Casino Photographer
• Bartender

In addition, at every casino, there are entire teams that work in vaults, counting money, delivering cash to and from the floor, and more. These jobs, of course, require extreme care.

Before You Apply

At most casinos, you must complete checks and take tests before you can even be considered. This starts with a background check, which includes a credit check, a criminal history check, and more to ensure that you aren’t going to put the casino’s security at risk. Many also require you to give names for several personal references, whose backgrounds will also be checked.

If you want to work on the floor, running one of the games, you’ll also need to take classes to qualify in most cases. You might know how to play poker, but dealing needs to be done in a very specific way; if it isn’t, the house could be accused of cheating or players could more easily count cards or find other ways to get an unfair advantage.

For more hiring tips, check out the Job Monkey Casino Hiring Guide.

Types of Casinos

So where can you work if you want a gambling job? There are several types of casinos available, based on the laws where you live. Start by looking at typical casinos like those run by hotels and Native American tribes. You can also work on a riverboat casino, which are especially popular along the Mississippi River, as well as check out cruise line casino jobs.

In some states, you may also find slot machines in other non-casino areas, like at airports, and workers are typically hired to maintain these machines and be on hand to retrieve money and in case there are any problems.

One of my favorite ways to relax is to visit my local casino and enjoy some cocktails while I play video poker.

You may not realize it when you’re downing drinks and calling on Lady Luck to help you win some cash, but it takes hundreds or even thousands of employees to keep a casino operational. Contrary to popular believe, casinos aren’t just found in Las Vegas – they’re located across the United States and even around the world. Many casinos hire dealers, bartenders, and other staff members year-round, so finding a casino job is not hard if you know where to look.

Cruise Ship Casinos: If you love to travel, consider working on a cruise ship casino. Jobs are available on both vacation cruises and on riverboats, and these ships have casinos ranging in size from small parlors to large gambling floors. Some boats are even completely devoted to casino games.

The Major Gambling Cities: Las Vegas is of course a Mecca if you’re looking for a casino job, but you can also find high casino concentrations in Atlantic City, Chicago, and Tunica, Mississippi.  Internationally, some of the countries where casinos are popular include Costa Rica, Macau, France, Germany, and the UK.

Casinos in Your State: Gambling is legal, at least in some form, in all states except Utah and Hawaii. Not every state allows commercial or Native American casinos, however, so working in a casino may require you to move to another part of the United States. This gambling legality chart can tell you if casinos are legal in your area.

Online Casinos: Don’t forget that online casinos need workers too! While these sites don’t hire dealers or other staff members in the traditional sense, they do hire web designers, technical support staff, office workers, and other employees to work with online casino gamblers.

Keep in mind that getting a casino job isn’t as easy as filling out an application. Most, if not all, casinos require a background check, financial information, fingerprinting, and more to ensure they’re hiring trustworthy employees. You many also need to go through an educational program or other training to learn how to work at a casino.

Woops, I missed last week’s Hot Jobs post. Did you miss it? We’re getting back in the saddle today with three great leads on casino & resort jobs from JobMonkey’s free Job Center — the Web’s #1 free resource for job seekers in search of an adventure … and a paycheck.

There are several pages of casino job leads right now over at the Job Center.

I’ve picked three really different kinds of opportunities, just to give you a sense of the possible diversity in this career path. After all, a lot of you probably think that working at a casino means dealing black jack, but the truth is these mega operations require staff at all levels — in front of the house, and way behind the scenes, too. From housekeeping and food service to marketing and masseurs, the casino resort world is a very, very big one. To learn more about this exciting, fast-paced career field, be sure to check out the JobMonkey section on Casino and Gaming Jobs.

1. Director of Casino Marketing Job,  Tropicana Express, River Palms Resort Casino, Laughlin, NV

The River Palms Resort Casino in Laughlin is seeking a director of Marketing and Player Development to implement strategies that will increase revenues and ensure guest satisfaction. The director will be responsible for managing departmental budget; hiring and training employees; planning and implementing promotions and special events; overseeing print and online communication materials; supervising the tracking and coding of special offers and redemptions; promoting programs for premium players; and more. The ideal candidate will have a minimum Bachelors Degree in Business (or the equivalent) plus at least five years of related work experience. He or she must also be able to obtain a Louisiana Riverboat Gaming License.  And then there’s my favorite part of the ad: Must be able to work inside in a “dry and noisy” environment. I’m guessing filled with cigarette smoke, too!

2. Spa Runner, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is seeking a spa runner to be responsible for supporting and assisting the spa staff in maintaining the cleanliness of all spa rooms and back of house areas. If you would like to get your foot in the door of the luxury spa world, this might be a great opportunity for you.

3. Slot Technician Job, Harrah’s Chester, Chester, PA

This one is pretty straight forward — Harrah’s in Chester, Pennsylvania is seeking a slot technician who demonstrates superior customer service skills and can maintain an upbeat, positive attitude and friendly, helpful demeanor. The technician will perform repairs and maintenance on all slot machines on property and be able to solve any problems in a timely fashion. The ideal candidate will have a GED with at least one year of slot floor experience. He or she must be able to sit or stand for prolonged periods and be able to work in a smoke-filled environment.

If you didn’t find the job of your dreams on our hot jobs list today, be sure to check out the JobMonkey Job Center for hundreds of other listings in every imaginable field.

Good luck with your job search this week!

Happy Wednesday — AKA Hot Jobs Day! Every Wednesday, I feature three of the hottest job leads from our free Job Center. (If you haven’t visited the Job Monkey Job Center lately, you should!

It’s an awesome free resource for job seekers in search of an adventure — and a paycheck.)

This week, I am spotlighting casino jobs. If you’re not sure you have what it takes to work with the high rollers, come visit the JobMonkey to learn more about casino and gaming jobs.

1. BARISTA Job – Belterra Casino Resort & Spa, Florence, IN

Think you have to live in Vegas to work for a casino? Think again. The Belterra Casino is in Florence, Indiana! They are looking for a Concession Worker/Barista for their Starbucks concession area. The ideal candidate will be able to communicate and serve customers effectively — and know the difference between grande and large.

2. EXECUTIVE PROTECTION AGENT, Las Vegas Sands , Las Vegas, NV

The Las Vegas Sands is seeking an executive protection agent to provide security to guests, workers and the resort property. The minimum employment requirements include being at least 21 years of age and having a high school diploma or equivalent. The ideal candidate will also have a military background, or law enforcement background, or have completed extensive private sector certified executive protection courses and training. Critical are skills in technical and tactical shooting skills as well as fundamental martial arts abilities. Additionally, one must have or be able to obtain a concealed weapon permit and a valid driver’s license.

3.DEALER DICE, Main Street Station Casino, Las Vegas, NV

Main Street is seeking a dealer to be assigned to various games. The dealer must be able to provide outstanding service and entertainment experience to customers. The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable of all applicable gaming and company regulations. Also important is the ability to quickly and accurately perform mathematical calculations in your head.

Didn’t find the job of your dreams on our hot jobs lists this week? No worries, just check out the JobMonkey Job Center for hundreds of other listings in every imaginable field.

Good luck with your job search this week!

Happy Wednesday. At the JobMonkey, “hump day” is hot job days, which is when I post three of the hottest new job leads from the JobMonkey Job Center.
If you are looking for a new job, the Job Center is the place to be.

This free resource for job seekers features hundreds of job opportunities from around the world, in every imaginable field. Leads are updated daily, so be sure to check back frequently. And if you haven’t already become a registered user (it’s free!), take a moment to do so. It’s the best way to take full advantage of the Job Center.

This week’s Hot Jobs is focusing in on casino jobs. These three jobs are just the tip of the cache of casino gigs right now, so be sure to click on over to the Job Center if you’re interested in working at a casino.

1. IT Technician Job, Palms Resort Casino, Las Vegas, NV
The Palms Resort in Las Vegas is looking for a high school graduate to serve as an Information Technology Technician. Apply online at the casino’s website.

2. Sous Chef, Treasure Chest Casino, New Orleans, LA
Boyd Gaming & Treasure Chest Casino is looking for a sous chef to coordinate and administer all food preparation and presentation under the direction of Executive Chef. Candidates must have at least six months of experience in a similar position, be able to lift and carry 40 pounds, and have excellent communication skills.

3. On Call Box Office Agent Job, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
The Hard Rock Casino is looking for a Box Office Agent to sell show tickets to guests via the computerized ticketing system. Candidates must have at least one year in a customer service position, preferably with ticket office sales experience.

Welcome to Hot Jobs! Unless this is your first visit to the JobMonkey blog, you probably know by now that every Wednesday is Hot Jobs Day.

What that means is this: I post three of the hottest new job listings from the JobMonkey Job Center and you either apply for one of them… or get enticed to go check out the Job Center for yourself.

So tell us: Are you looking for a new job? Have you been to the Job Center yet this week? We have an extensive database with thousands of job opportunities around the country — and the world. It’s updated daily, and it’s completely free to job seekers.

On today’s Hot Jobs post, I am featuring casino jobs. Usually when you think about working at a casino, you think about black jack dealers and (scantily clad) drink servers. But casinos are major resorts featuring jobs in everything from maintenance to marketing to guest services. Here’s a look at three such diverse jobs in casinos around the United States. Want to learn more? Check out the Job Center now — there are dozens of casino job openings!

1. Systems/Network Administrator Job, Corporate Office, Penn National Gaming, Wyomissing, PA
Penn National Gaming is looking for a systems/network administrator to assist in the implementation and support of the company’s IT environment. The administrator’s job duties will include: maintaining Exchange and Active Directory applications; preventing systems and network problems; installing and managing server OS patching; maintaining server backup procedure; providing on-call support to remote sites; and more. The ideal candidate will have a B.S. degree from a four-year college plus a minimum of two years’ related experience. He or she must also be proficient in in Microsoft 2000/2003 Server, Terminal Server, Windows 2000, XP, Microsoft Office 2003/2007 Professional Suite, Exchange Client Setup, Cisco IOS. You should also have a basic working knowledge of hubs, switches, routers and wireless devices. Although strong knowledge of TCP/IP networking and troubleshooting is not required, it is preferred.

2. Lifeguard Job, Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV
If neither fixing computer systems nor dealing out blackjack are on your list of skills, then what about a job as a lifeguard? The Las Vegas Orleans Hotel & Casino is looking to hire a lifeguard to ensure the safety of the guests at its on-site swimming pool. Candidates must be certified and willing to maintain certification as a lifeguard, including Professional Rescuer CPR certification. Working conditions may include extreme heat and sun exposure (I’m guessing the pool isn’t indoors!)

3. Associate Beverage Manager Job, Ameristar Casinos, Kansas City, MO
If Vegas is too glam and glitz for you, then how about a casino job in America’s heartland? The Kansas City-based Ameristar Casino is looking to hire an associate beverage manager responsible for hiring and training bar personnel, helping to control labor costs, maintaining accurate inventory reports, and inputting sold items into computer database. The ideal candidate will have at least one year of restaurant management experience, along with two or more years of bartender experience.

Good luck with your casino job applications!

In honor of JobMonkey’s newest section on Six-Figure Jobs (who doesn’t want one of those, right?!), I wanted to point out this article (an oldie but goodie) from Forbes Magazine about Surprising Six Figure Jobs.

Interestingly enough, there is a lot of cross-over between the Forbes list and the job categories we feature at the JobMonkey.  Thing that make you go hmmm, indeed!

Here are three of my favorite surprising six-figure jobs, according to Forbes:

Casino Gaming Manager Jobs
Got a background in marketing, but not sure what to do with it? Head to Vegas … or Atlantic City … or any one of the dozens of regional gaming sites popping up across the United States. According to Forbes, the top 10% of gaming managers earn $106,220 a year; the average gaming manager salary is $69,600/year. Want to learn more? Read up on casino jobs at the JobMonkey!

Air Traffic Controllers
On-the-job stress may be sky-high for air traffic controllers, but apparently so are their salaries. The top 10% of earners made an average of $141,860 in 2006, and the median annual salary for controllers was $112,930. If you are willing to relocate for your job, go to Chicago, Illinois, where O’Hare controllers make the highest salaries in the country. To learn more about what the job entails, check out this article on Air Traffic Controller Jobs. You can also start your airline job search at JobMonkey’s partner website Airline Job Finder.

Post Secondary Educators
According to Forbes, there is a good deal of money to be earned up in those ivory towers we like to call colleges and universities. Okay, so you have to get your PhD first, which will take a good five years, and you have to be willing to enter the publish-or-perish rat race, but for a median six-figure salary, the “sacrifice” just might be worth it! Interestingly enough, Forbes reports that the top-earning profs are those working in the economics department. Law professors aren’t doing too bad either, according to our research. And while online teachers don’t earn quite as much as their brick-and-mortar colleagues, distance teaching might be a good way to break into the industry. To learn more about the Internet teaching niche, read this article on Becoming an Online Course Instructor.

By the way, are you subscribed to the JobMonkey newsletter yet? If not, you should be! This week’s newsletter, for example, was all about how to land a coveted six-figure job!

The casino industry in Las Vegas and Atlantic City has been hit hard by the economic recession. But business is booming at casinos in Pennsylvania, according to a article from Forbes magazine.

Since Pennsylvania legalized gambling, the state has become home to seven casinos — and one more is slated for its grand opening in May. The $743 million Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem is the pet project of billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. He says that despite the recession, these Pennsylvania gambling establishments should be able “hold their own”.

If you want to learn about what it takes to have a career with Sands or one of the other big casinos, check out the JobMonkey section on the casino and gambling industry.

Are you looking to change your fortune? There’s no better place to get lucky than at a casino.  From traditional to Native American to online, casinos provide a host of job opportunities, including dealers, pit clerks, slot technicians and casino surveillance officer. In JobMonkey’s Casinos & Gaming Jobs section, you can learn everything you need to know to get lucky in the gaming industry.