Fast-paced, edgy and energized environment, competitive
salaries, fantastic benefits, profit sharing, opportunities to advance to
management, training programs and no experience necessary, all within a rapidly
growing industry where the concept of downsizing is practically nonexistent?
Sounds like a dream job, but in this case it is not too good to be true. If you
are enthusiastic, outgoing and enjoy customer service you may well qualify for
any or all of numerous entry level positions in the gaming industry - and all
of the benefits that go along with them.
Casino Careers are a Large, and Growing, Hospitality Industry Segment
Casinos, which just a few years ago existed only in Nevada and New
Jersey, are springing up everywhere since statutes
governing them have been relaxed. At least 35 US states allow some form of
gambling and the Canadian Government has embraced the industry for its
employment opportunities and tremendous economic boost derived from increasing
tourism.
Gaming Industry Facts:
- In
recent years, the gaming industry has emerged as an economic mainstay,
employing literally thousands of people, in both countries.
- In the
US alone, the casino workforce increased nearly 80% from 1990-2005 to over
350,000 jobs, with another 450,000 jobs in related businesses and these
numbers are burgeoning almost daily, according to the American Gaming
Association in Washington D.C.
- The
association also reports that the gaming industry has become a trendsetter
with regard to diversity hiring, exceeding national averages in employment
of both women and minorities. Job seekers from an enormous variety of
backgrounds and economic conditions are finding that casino careers are
dynamic, lucrative, abundant, and available 24/7.
Gaming is "very much a growing industry in British Columbia so there are lots of opportunities
within our company," says Emily Henderson, a Senior Recruiter with British Columbia's Great
Canadian Gaming. "People start in at entry level and are able to work up
to management or senior level employment." Henderson said that Great Canadian Gaming's
salaries are definitely competitive and benefits include medical insurance,
extended care insurance, dental insurance, life and disability insurance,
pension plan, profit sharing, employee discounts, and an employee and family
assistance program.
Breaking In to Casino Jobs
As far as qualifications are concerned, Henderson said, skills gained in other
hospitality related jobs are transferable to casino jobs. Any kinds of customer
service training or certifications are a bonus, but she emphasized that in many
cases there is no experience necessary to access a casino career. "It's
all about attitude and customer service," Henderson said, and understanding the 24/7
lifestyle. Great Canadian Gaming will often train from the ground up, Henderson said, noting
that an ability to work with numbers is important for some jobs such as card
dealer, slot attendant or cashier. Entry level card dealers, for example, go
through a 4-5 week Canadian Gaming Institute training course before they hit
the casino floor.
Job Listings and Applications Made Easy
What kinds of jobs are available and where do you find and
apply for them? On the Internet, of course! Hcareers, which specializes in
hospitality industry employment, is the sole recommended job board for the
Canadian Gaming Association. Hcareers currently has listings for:
- Hospitality
jobs including chefs, bakers, specialty chefs, restaurant managers,
beverage servers, bartenders, convention managers, room service attendants
and managers, and banquet servers.
- Casino
jobs range from slot attendants, craps dealers and cage cashiers up to
slots managers, shift managers, and a full gamut in between.
- Gaming
related jobs within the casino environment include arcade technicians,
accounts receivable clerks, retail sales clerks, retail managers, art
directors and auditors.
- Listings
span the US and Canada, with openings in Mississippi,
Connecticut, Oregon,
Nevada, British
Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, just to
name a few.
Hcareers makes breaking into the casino job scene easier
than ever with a free job seeker account. You can search job listings online,
post your resume, complete online applications and even set up a Job Detective
to alert you by email when jobs are posted that match your stated criteria.
Who's Doing the Hiring?
Great Canadian Gaming is just one of the employers that list
openings on the Hcareers job site. A few of the others are:
Harrah's
Entertainment
Beau
Rivage Resorts and Casinos
Mill
Resorts and Casinos
Landry's
Mystic Lake
Seminole
Chinook
Winds
Mohegan
Sun
Gold
Strike Casino Resort
There are few industries in the U.S.
or Canada
that are growing as fast as the hospitality industry, and in particular casino
gaming. Legalized gambling has proven to be a huge economic boon and shows no
signs of tapering off, which means that more and better jobs are consistently
opening and are available nationwide. Salaries are good, benefits are better,
and there are tremendous opportunities for both training and advancement. If
that's for you, it's time to check out casino careers.