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Croupier

  • Hours

    35 per week

  • Starting salary

    £11,500 + per year



The work

Croupiers run the games in a casino by throwing dice, spinning the roulette wheel and dealing cards. The main games played in UK casinos are roulette, blackjack, stud poker, Punto Banco (or Baccarat) and craps.

As a croupier your work would include:

  • welcoming new players to the table
  • checking that all chips are placed on the table before the start of play
  • explaining the rules to players
  • controlling the game and making sure players follow the rules
  • collecting chips from losing bets
  • making fast mental calculations of payouts to winners.

You would work under the supervision of a gaming inspector, who is usually in charge of two tables. Inspectors make sure that gaming regulations are followed and look out for any suspicious behaviour. Inspectors work under the direction of a pit boss.


Hours

You will usually work 35 hours a week with shifts from 2pm to 10pm and 10pm to 6am, including weekends and bank holidays.

You will be expected to be smart and well-groomed. In most casinos your employer will provide appropriate evening dress or a uniform. Some of your meals may be provided.


Income

  • Croupiers can earn from around £11,500 to £18,500 a year
  • Experienced croupiers in London can earn around £30,000
  • In the rest of the UK salaries are likely to be lower.

UK gaming law does not allow gaming staff to accept tips from customers. Most other countries do allow tips, which can often make a significant difference to earnings.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.


Entry requirements

You would first need to be employed by a casino or casino company as a trainee croupier, and would then receive on-the-job training. You must be aged over 18 and have:

  • a good general education (for some large betting chains you might need at least three GCSEs (A-C), including English and maths, or similar qualifications)
  • normal colour vision, good hearing and clear speech.

You will also need Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance – you cannot work as a croupier if you have criminal convictions.

At your interview you may have to pass:

  • a maths test to check that you can do mental calculations
  • a test of your manual dexterity.

It could be useful if you have experience of working with the public and handling money.

You can find contact details for your nearest casinos from the casino company websites and approach them to find out about trainee vacancies.


Training and development

Before working as a croupier you would need to gain a licence from the Gambling Commission, the organisation that regulates gambling in the UK. Gaining a licence will involve successfully completing a programme of training, usually a paid on-the-job course, provided by your employer. Courses last between six and eight weeks, and include:

  • the skills and techniques you will need as a dealer or croupier
  • casino legislation
  • customer service.

If your casino company does not have its own in-house training, they will pay for your training with a private training organisation. When you have completed your training your employer will apply for your licence.

Visit the casino page of the Gambling Commission website for details of licences.

You can complete the following qualifications offered by the National Gaming Academy (NGA):

  • NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Gambling Operations: Casino
  • Foundation Degree in Casino Operations Management.

The qualifications are available through the three colleges that form the NGA consortium. These are:

You can also complete a Foundation Degree, BSc (Hons) and MSc in Gambling and Leisure Management at the University of Salford.


Skills and knowledge

  • customer service skills
  • the ability to keep up your concentration and accuracy throughout your shift
  • a polite, tactful and friendly manner
  • the ability to think quickly and make fast mental calculations
  • vitality and enthusiasm
  • confidence in front of an audience
  • the ability to deal cards and move chips quickly
  • scrupulous honesty and security awareness
  • the ability to handle complaints and difficult situations
  • foreign language skills if you intend to work overseas.

More information

People 1st (Opens new window)
2nd Floor
Armstrong House
38 Market Square
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 1LH
Tel: 01895 817 000
www.uksp.co.uk/ (careers information)
www.people1st.co.uk

Gambling Commission (Opens new window)
www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk


Opportunities

As a croupier with a good reputation and more than two years' experience, you may be able to progress to inspector or pit boss, and then on to manager. You will need to complete more on-the-job training and upgrade your licence for each level.

When you have two years' experience in a UK casino and the ability to deal at least three different games, you may be able to apply for a position on a cruise ship or in an overseas casino.

To work in non-English speaking countries you must have a good knowledge of the appropriate language. To work in prestigious casinos in Las Vegas or Monte Carlo, you will need extensive and varied experience, and the ability to pass a dealing audition.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (Opens in a new window) there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.


Related industry information

Industry summary

The gambling industry is represented by People 1st, the Sector Skills Council for hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism. The hospitality, travel and tourism sector incorporates the following industries: contract food service providers, events, gambling, holiday parks, hospitality services, hostels, hotels, membership clubs, pubs, bars and nightclubs, restaurants, self-catering accommodation, tourist services, and visitor attractions. The sector accounts for a workforce of 2.1 million, most of which are based within the restaurants, hospitality services, and pubs, bars and nightclubs industries. The roles within the sector are extremely diverse and include managers, technical staff, front-of-house staff, back-of-house staff, and non-core staff.

The gambling industry includes: casinos; bingo halls; betting; football pools; lotteries; and machines (such as amusement arcades). The industry has grown over the last year, due in part to the popularity of online gambling.

Key facts:

  • There are 94,600 people working in the gambling industry.
  • 19% of the workforce has an NVQ Level 4 or above qualification.
  • The majority of the workforce has a NVQ Level 2 qualification (26%).
  • 14% of the workforce has no qualifications.
  • 69% of the workforce is employed full‐time.

[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2009.]

Jobs in the industry range from: bingo callers, croupiers, betting shop cashier, assistant general manager, betting assistant manager, cleaner, inspector, pit boss, tele‐betting telephone operator, bingo manager.


National and regional data

East Midlands – There are approximately 4,900 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:

  • 33% of the workforce is 35‐39 years
  • 64% work full‐time
  • The majority of the workforce has no qualification (31%)

East of England – There are approximately 7,500 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:

  • 62% of the workforce is female
  • 20% of the workforce is 50‐54 years
  • 27% of the workforce has an NVQ level 3 qualification

London – There are approximately 13,200 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:

  • 54% of the workforce is female
  • 71% of the workforce is white
  • 27% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
  • 27% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification

North East – There are approximately 7,700 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:

  • 22% of the workforce is 50‐59 years
  • 61% work full‐time
  • 30% of the workforce has no qualification

North West – There are approximately 13,400 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:

  • 29% of the workforce is 25‐29 years
  • 71% work full‐time
  • 42% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification

South East – There are approximately 10,100 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:

  • 60% of the workforce is female
  • 87% of the workforce is white
  • 26% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
  • 37% of the workforce has an NVQ level 4 qualification

South West – There are approximately 5,200 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:

  • 45% of the workforce is female
  • 23% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
  • 33% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification

West Midlands – There are approximately 8,100 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:

  • 94% of the workforce is white
  • 25% of the workforce is 25‐29 years
  • 71% work full‐time
  • 27% of the workforce has an NVQ level 1 and entry level qualification

Yorkshire and the Humber – There are approximately 8,700 people working in the gambling industry in this region, of which:

  • 21% of the workforce is 20‐24 years
  • 68% work full‐time
  • 32% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification

Northern Ireland – There are approximately 43,900 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Northern Ireland, of which 1,200 work in the gambling industry in 100 establishments. Details are as follows:

  • 56% of the workforce is male
  • 69% of the workforce has an NVQ level 3 qualification

Scotland – There are approximately 183,500 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Scotland, of which 10,700 work in the gambling industry in 1,200 establishments. Details are as follows:

  • 78% of the workforce is female
  • 27% of the workforce is 40‐44 years
  • 28% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification

Wales – There are approximately 86,100 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Wales, of which 3,900 work in the gambling industry in 600 establishments. Details are as follows:

  • 70% of the workforce is female
  • 27% of the workforce is 40‐44 years
  • 38% of the workforce has no qualifications

[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2009.]


Career paths


Further sources


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