Job Search

I posted a question similar to this one on the Wizard of Odds website back in August.

Is there anyone who has some information or suggestions on how to go about obtaining a job in the casino gaming industry as a casino gaming consultant providing probabilities/odds for casinos that are considering new games. I have a bachelor of science degree in statistics from a small college in Missouri, which is where I reside. I am not looking to get into the business/financial or security aspect of the casino business, but rather the analysis/calculations of the probabilities/odds/profitability of new games for casinos, as well as any potential dealer jobs, and also the gaming education of teaching casino patrons the math and strategies of the various casino games.

I would be interested in any and all part time and/or full time positions that are available.

Just a little bit of background about myself. I have been working the last 20 years full time for a Missouri State Government state agency, both as a Statistician and as IT/IS support staff. My employer is currently downsizing and I am subject to being laid off in the next 4 to 6 months. Having a degree in statistics, and having had a question on a test in college to calculate the number of full houses in a deck of cards, I have always been fascinated with gaming and I spend some of my spare time calculating probabilities/odds and studying strategies of gambling games from lotteries to casino games. If I end up in the unemployment line (i.e. if I am not able to obtain another job before I get laid off), I am considering going to the World of Series of poker next year, and search for employment.

In case you are wondering, yes I do have experience in casino gaming as a patron.

It is a little depressing knowing that I am most likely going to be laid off with the job market as it is right now. I have given this a lot of thought, and I would like to get into this line of work or at least look into it to see if it is a viable and reputable way to make an honest living.

I only want people that are reputable (i.e. educated, employed, and experienced in this line of work) to respond this post. I am not in total dire straights here, so I do not want to be led down every rabbit trail by every one on the planet.

Michael's wizard of odds website has been very helpful to me and I am sure to others as well.

Thank you to whom ever can provide some good honest advice and suggestions.

P.S. After reading an article about a physics professor teaching physics with a bottle of beer, I have always said the best way to teach people about math, probability, and statistics is to use lotteries and casino games because the spark people's interest.

I think the Wizard must look upon you as an intolerable rival !!!

[sorry, sadly I have been thinking a lot lately about intolerable rivals]

Er, uh, ... I don't really know how to tell you this but most players in a casino don't seem to be the least bit interested in learning about the math or statistics behind the game they are playing. They are interested in learning the cocktail waitresses phone number and in getting more free drinks from her, but that is about it.

Casinos do run Dealer Schools from time to time for the public and for internal training but they usually just choose somebody who is already dealing and give the gig to them.

I'd list your strengths and see if your skills are better in Information Technology than in statistics of gambling consultancy positions.

Good luck either way though.

Quote: johnsm2010

how to go about obtaining a job in the casino gaming industry as a casino gaming consultant providing probabilities/odds for casinos that are considering new games.

To my knowledge such a position does not exist. If a person does fill that role at a casino I'm sure the job would have many other responsibilities that go along with it. For example, I'm pretty sure the DTG where I work would be capable of such an analysis, however I'm also sure that his normal day to day activities do not involve what you're describing. Also, I don't believe DTG is just a job you cruise into without prior gaming industry experience.

You'd probably have better luck looking into the same kind of position with a gaming vendor such as Shufflemaster, Galaxy, etc.

Quote: johnsm2010

the analysis/calculations of the probabilities/odds/profitability of new games for casinos, as well as any potential dealer jobs,

I honestly don't have any idea what information is presented to a casino executive when they're being pitched a new game/side bet, but I would imagine the "analysis/calculations of the probabilities/odds/profitability" would be available. Ah, but could they trust the vendor? you might ask. I believe they could because I believe that information is included when the game/side bet is presented to the gaming commission for approval in the jurisdiction.

I'm not sure what you mean about the dealer jobs part.

Quote: johnsm2010

and also the gaming education of teaching casino patrons the math and strategies of the various casino games.

To my knowledge casinos have little interest in that sort of endeavor. You might have more luck trying to start a Communiversity-type class in your area.

Quote: johnsm2010

I only want people that are reputable (i.e. educated, employed, and experienced in this line of work) to respond this post.

LOL. Welcome to the internet, you don't have that option. You'll be lucky if the topic stays alive long enough for it to be hijacked into a Paigowdan vs. The World debate on casino ethics.

Good luck on your job search, being unemployed sucks.

I believe you describe the job our Wizard now has with the Venetian. I think you would need quite a resume to get such a job. Good luck!

Quote: johnsm2010

Is there anyone who has some information or suggestions on how to go about obtaining a job in the casino gaming industry as a casino gaming consultant providing probabilities/odds for casinos that are considering new games.

I have been doing this for a living since 2005. The "table games" area is fairly saturated with highly qualified and experienced mathematicians. Moreover, the work has slowed quite a bit with the downturn in the casino industry and so many games already available in the table games market. On the other hand, there is some room in the slot industry for your skills. You might start there.

I believe you will find that the slot machine manufacturers are the ones that always need qualified math analysts. You may want to choose a slot machine game and do the math for it. Not only can you learn by doing it, you may be able to show that to potential employers. When I need additional math work for my games I always want to see a portfolio of previous work from people that I am considering hiring.