Have you ever sat in a casino and wondered what it’s like to be a dealer or croupier? Imagine being the person spinning the roulette wheel or shuffling the cards at a blackjack table? Does the glitz and glamour of the high-roller lifestyle entice you enough to do it for a career? Perhaps you’d enjoy the buzz and anticipation of a casino without risking a cent. In this article we reveal what life is really like for a professional dealer or croupier and how you can go about becoming one.
Casino Dealer Training
Working on the frontline of a casino is like most careers where there is a clear progression from the bottom to the top. Like many vocations, a professional croupier often starts life in further education and training - either on the job or at one of the ‘gaming academies’ that have been established in the UK and beyond.
As far as qualifications are concerned, few employers will ask that specific programmes of learning are completed (such as an NVQ in Gaming), but a solid grade at GCSE level or higher maths is recommended. Via training courses, aspiring croupiers learn all they need to know about managing their station, from dealing the cards and counting chips to understanding the legal framework for gambling in a particular city, state or country.
There are tangible skills that trainee dealers can work on as well as interpersonal skills, such as clear communication and the ability to handle the occasional rowdy customer. It is essential to look the part in most casinos too, but it must all be backed up with sound numeracy and communication skills, while a warm personality doesn’t go amiss.
Casino Dealer School
Most gaming programs and training courses run for around six weeks, where student dealers learn everything related to a casino and the trade.
Full lessons are provided on how to play games like roulette, poker and blackjack, while participants will also learn about regulations and local laws. Once a candidate has completed their dealer training, they can apply for a position at a land-based or online casino.
In the UK, the Ace Academy in London offers land-based and online courses, while the Online Live Casino Academy (OLCA) in Malta is a great option for Europe.
On The Job Casino Training
Some casinos - online and land-based - will offer in-house training programs and live trials for experienced casino game players.
Casino Dealer Certification
As we’ve mentioned, there are no strict qualifications required if you want to become a casino dealer or croupier in the UK, but there are a number of skills that will help you make the grade:
- Ability to work well within a team
- Customer service experience
- Basic numeracy
- Quick-thinking
- Communication
- Diplomacy
- Trustworthiness
- Well-groomed with neat and tidy appearance
- Flexible with working hours (including nights, weekends and holidays)