If you love online casino games or betting at land-based casinos, you may have thought about becoming a professional gambler at some point. But have you ever considered becoming a dealer or croupier? How about a roulette dealer, specifically? Dealers at the roulette table are responsible for managing the game. They handle the bets, spin the wheel and pay out winnings due to players.
There are many benefits that come with working as a roulette dealer or casino dealer in general. In addition to being constantly surrounded by the glitz and glamor of the casino floor, you’ll also enjoy interacting with people from many different backgrounds, flexible job hours and the opportunity to learn more about the game and further improve your own skills by watching experienced players place their bets.
Interested? Read on to discover everything you need to know about what it takes to become a dealer at roulette, from job requirements to the personality types best suited to this role. We also highlight what you can expect to earn — and how much you’re likely to rack up in tips on a good night.
Requirements for Becoming a Roulette Dealer
The requirements for becoming a dealer specializing in roulette vary depending on the casino or gaming establishment you’re hoping to work for. But there are some general requirements to be aware of:
Minimum age
You’ll usually have to be at least 21 years old to become a dealer at a casino in the US.
Education
Most casinos require a high school diploma or equivalent. Some require a qualification from a casino dealer training school, while others provide in-house training.
Legal Status
You must be a US citizen or legally allowed to work in the country, as well as pass a criminal background check before any casino will consider employing you.
Physical Condition
It’s a bonus if you’re healthy and physically fit, especially since you’ll be on your feet most of the time while working. You’ll also be surprised how much spinning the roulette wheel can take out of you (you’ll be doing it around 55 times per hour!)
What To Expect From Dealer Training
So, you’ve decided you’d like to become a croupier. Now you need to learn how to deal roulette like a true pro. As we’ve mentioned, you must enroll at a casino dealer training school or try to get a job at a casino willing to provide or pay for your training. Most dealer programs at dealer schools range from 6 to 12 weeks and cover the following topics:
Game Rules
Obviously, you need to learn the rules of the game to run the roulette table. If you’re already a fan of the game, you’re already one step ahead!
Customer Service
A key part of the job is providing excellent customer service to players and maintaining a friendly and professional demeanor no matter how you’re treated. Unfortunately, not all players are warm and friendly. You’ll undoubtedly encounter a few rude, belligerent or unruly gamblers in your time as a croupier — it’s critical to know how to handle these situations.
Technical Skills
You need to learn how to operate the equipment and be proficient in math to calculate payouts quickly and accurately.
Ethics and Security
All dealers and croupiers must be familiar with the rules and regulations governing the gaming industry to ensure the game’s security. You’ll also learn how to spot any suspicious behavior (and how to deal with it accordingly.)
Are You a Good Fit for the Role?
Some personality types make better croupiers than others. Of course, you’ll enjoy your job a lot more if you’re a naturally friendly, outgoing “people person.” After all, you’ll be interacting with people consistently for many hours at a time.
Croupiers should also be observant, professional, great communicators and hard workers.
What’s the Pay Like for Dealers and Croupiers?
According to Glassdoor, most dealers and croupiers in the US can expect to earn $49,378 per year, while Indeed.com lists $16.80 as the average hourly salary for dealers and croupiers.
Of course, how much you’ll earn will vary depending on your experience level (expect to earn less when first starting out) and your state. Based on totals released by ZipRecruiter, the lowest-paying state for casino dealers is Louisiana, while the highest-paying state is Hawaii, closely followed by Nevada.
In addition to your salary, you can also look forward to earning your fair share of tips from players at the table. In the US, it’s considered good casino etiquette to tip dealers as a “thank you” for their service — win or lose. The generally accepted minimum tip is $5 per player per hour. The even better news is that there’s no such thing as a maximum when tipping dealers, so you can expect a hearty bonus if any of the players at your roulette table win big!
Practice Your Roulette Skills at Borgata Online
Keen to improve your skills and learn some roulette dealer tricks? Register to play online roulette at Borgata Online. Along with roulette, we also specialize in casino table games, live dealer casino games, online slots and bingo.