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Cruise Ship Casino Jobs

( Guest article by Martin Newman )

The article introduces casino specific jobs and describes them as they would be onboard a cruise ship.
Generally the cruise ship casinos are much smaller in size than the shore-side ones.
When the ship is in port the casino is usually closed, often the local legislation prevents gambling.

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Last up-dated: Aug. 01, 2011
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What work is there ?

To work in the Cruise Ship Casino - any work - you must be over 21 years of age.

At its core, the casino industry is just like every other industry on the planet. The basic economic model of supply and demand is on full display with casinos and gambling. People want to enjoy their games in a safe, comfortable environment, and many suppliers work hard to bring that to fruition. And just like every product that needs consumers, a staff of workers is required to ensure the product is always the best it can be.

Many of us are well aware of a few of the most popular casino jobs. You have for instance:
- blackjack dealers,
- pit bosses and,
- security guards.

But it takes a lot more than that to keep casinos functioning properly. Even the lowest guy on the maintenance staff's totem pole plays a key roll in the presentation and functionality of a casino.

Cruise Casino Gaming Crew

If you're thinking of applying for a casino position, there are plenty of choices.

First, you have gaming dealers, working in blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and more. On-shore casinos might employ hundreds if not thousands of gaming dealers. The salary options are on the lower end of the spectrum, but a dealer stands to earn double their salary in tips alone. On a ship due to the purely vacation gambling, it might be even more.

In order to be a game dealer, you have to be well aware of your surroundings at all times. Even though you'll have security around to check for cheaters, you also need to possess a keen eye. Your mediation skills and math skills must be second to none. Even on cruise ships casinos are rife with people trying to earn a buck the shady way. Knowing who bet what and who owes what is a must. The responsibility falls on your shoulders as a dealer.

Security is High Priority

You also have the surveillance officers. "Security guards", as they're known as, do more than stand on the floor. As a surveillance officer, you're also in charge of monitoring the video software. Most surveillance positions require classroom training or even a license. As such, this position pays more than the aforementioned gaming dealer. Surveillance officers average around 30k annually ( US ). Benefits are dependent on the employer.

Security guards aren't bouncers. Your job isn't to locate a cheater and cattle prod them. You must defuse situations without creating a panic. For your safety, as well as for the safety of others, it's vital to never cause a scene. An out-of-control casino floor is a nightmare. There usually aren't issues related to crowd control, on cruise ships the main task usually is to delicately deal with too drunk guests. Anyway it is more like what the employers might expect - where the most troubles could arise - be it tipsy vacationers requiring assistance or stag parties going too wild.
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What about Supervisors and Managers ?

Next up we have gaming supervisors. Known simply as "pit bosses", these supervisors are like guidance councilors and hall monitors wrapped in one. Not only is it the job of a pit boss to ensure that all employees are completing their duty correctly, but they're also in charge of hearing the complaints from both the gamblers and the staff. Their job is to mediate, forcibly if necessary, and keep the casino floor operation smoothly. Pit bosses average a little over 40k per year at onshore casinos and on cruise ships it's more or less very similar.

As a pit boss, just like security guards, you need to keep the kid gloves on most of the time. When someone comes to you with a complaint, they may be livid and yelling. Meet hostility with compassion and a gentle tone. It's your job to remain in charge of the situation.

A gaming manager is another option of employment. A gaming manager not only has to oversee the entire casino's operations, but they're also responsible for creating and tweaking gaming policy based on any legislation they are regulated by. Gaming managers can easily make over 70k annually ( on American flagged cruise ship casinos ).

Gaming manager is a highly-trained position. You must be well aware of all legislation which could possibly have any jurisdiction on your casino and have previous experience being in charge. What I would put accent on is that although a casino on a cruise ship is by it is own in the middle of the sea, in most ways they are still organized in very similar ways to the on-shore ones.

I'm a Maintenance Man

The slot machine technician is the person who keeps all those "one-armed bandits", i.e. slot machines / gambling machines in running order. Because these are either mechanical or electro-mechanical, there's always wear and tear and they need continuous service and maintenance to work properly. Normally the slot machine technician works together with the locksmiths These people need specialized training and do the same work whether the casino is onboard or ashore. These could be the only casino people who are working in the casino when the ship is in port.

I want to be a Cashier

All casinos employ cage cashiers. These people work behind secure glass or bars, changing in money for chips and vice versa. Only the most trusted applicants will receive this position. As a cage cashier, you will inevitably meet swindlers claiming that they have been ripped off. It's your job to contact the floor managers or security when this happens.

Summary

Additionally there can be some administrative staff, like accountants and other office clerks.

Overall, the main difference between working in an onboard and onshore casino is that employees can and should afford to be more patient with the many beginners they would encounter on a cruise ship. So the important thing to remember is that cruise ship casinos are constantly competing with alternative shipboard activities.

If you're thinking about a career in the casino industry, your options are vast. Just remember to apply only for positions you can handle proficiently. Casinos are huge businesses. Any dereliction in your duties or "gross negligence / carelessness" will result in immediate dismissal.

Waiters / waitresses, chefs and cooks, etc. are of course catering personnel, and as such not specifically employed by the casino.
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Author and © Martin Newman
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Last up-dated:
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