ComplexEnigma
ComplexEnigma
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March 25th, 2013 at 2:52:26 PM permalink
So I am spreading my resume around and given my interest in gambling, the allure of casinos to me, and the overall atmosphere it dawned on me that I should apply at some casinos. I know there are a lot of people on these forums that either worked for casinos or work closely with casinos. Are there any companies that are known to be particularly good/bad to work for?

I've scoped out the big fish (Harrah's) and it seems like their pay and benefits are solid, but management can be frustrating (although with a company as big as them I'm sure it depends on the property). I am looking for IT or surveillance.
MathExtremist
MathExtremist
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March 25th, 2013 at 3:38:17 PM permalink
Where do you live?
Where do you want to live?
Do you want to run the games or make them?
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice." -- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
DRich
DRich
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March 25th, 2013 at 9:41:26 PM permalink
The people that I know that work at MGM corporate seem to be much happier than the people I know at Caesar's (Harrah's) corporate.

I think some people here might advise against working for Sand's.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
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March 25th, 2013 at 10:47:33 PM permalink
Quote: DRich

I think some people here might advise against working for Sand's.



*snort*
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
MonkeyMonkey
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March 25th, 2013 at 11:55:04 PM permalink
I don't know how you'll get the "allure of casinos" or the "overall atmosphere" of a casino from IT or surveillance. I can't recall ever seeing ay of our IT staff out on the floor (not to say that they never venture of there), but then again I work swing shift (where all the action is) and I don't see them. Our surveillance people "see" the floor, albeit from an odd angle.

Good luck in your hunt.
ComplexEnigma
ComplexEnigma
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March 26th, 2013 at 9:11:59 AM permalink
Quote: MathExtremist

Where do you live?
Where do you want to live?
Do you want to run the games or make them?



I am currently in North Carolina but I am open to about anywhere in the US that has casinos. Anywhere on the west coast (including Nevada and Arizona) and anywhere south of and including Pennsylvania. Atlantic City is the only major hub I am wary of, mostly because I am concerned about the long term health of the casinos there and Atlantic City isn't exactly my dream home. I avoided Illinois but mostly because the glassdoor.com reviews of the casinos there were very negative (but just for Harrahs).

I would want to run them in the sense of supporting the technology or providing surveillance. Ideally I would like to go into the information security side of things but I need more school first.
AZDuffman
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March 26th, 2013 at 9:50:07 AM permalink
Sounds like you need to just break-in and find your niche. Lots to be gained by just being there and being known. You might want to consider western pa/wv panhandle. Four places nearby and I think they all have places elsewhere you could transfer to.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
Paigowdan
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March 26th, 2013 at 10:03:09 AM permalink
I wouldn't always say "best company" etc., to work for.

For pit workers, EVERY property within a casino operator's empire is different. It depends on the mix of people at an individual casino.

For management, it depends on who your bosses are.
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes - Henry David Thoreau. Like Dealers' uniforms - Dan.
ComplexEnigma
ComplexEnigma
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March 26th, 2013 at 10:24:58 AM permalink
Quote: MonkeyMonkey

I don't know how you'll get the "allure of casinos" or the "overall atmosphere" of a casino from IT or surveillance. I can't recall ever seeing ay of our IT staff out on the floor (not to say that they never venture of there), but then again I work swing shift (where all the action is) and I don't see them. Our surveillance people "see" the floor, albeit from an odd angle.

Good luck in your hunt.



I feel I will get enough of the atmosphere just working near/in a casino. In order to be on the floor my whole shift I'd have to be a dealer or security officer. Not really the types of positions I'm looking for and I think I'd be a pretty terrible dealer. I wouldn't mind being a pit boss but that of course requires dealer experience.

Not being in the thick of things allows me to avoid a lot of the second hand smoke, so that's a plus even if I miss out on some excitement.
coilman
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March 26th, 2013 at 12:14:01 PM permalink
Quote: ComplexEnigma

I feel I will get enough of the atmosphere just working near/in a casino. In order to be on the floor my whole shift I'd have to be a dealer or security officer. Not really the types of positions I'm looking for and I think I'd be a pretty terrible dealer. I wouldn't mind being a pit boss but that of course requires dealer experience.

.



Somebody correct me here if I am wrong....but surveillance would require a background in dealing the different card games....working the craps tables...spinning the ball ......so you have an idea if things that are happening should be or if things you are watching via cameras is all wrong
Paigowdan
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March 26th, 2013 at 12:18:07 PM permalink
Quote: coilman

Somebody correct me here if I am wrong....but surveillance would require a background in dealing the different card games....working the craps tables...spinning the ball ......so you have an idea if things that are happening should be or if things you are watching via cameras is all wrong



Yes.

You have to know the games first hand - you pretty much have to have dealt - in order to visually spot a wrong dealing move, let's say. Witnessing a gaffed dealer or player motion has to be instantly seen and felt as suspect from the get-go, or else you might miss it.
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes - Henry David Thoreau. Like Dealers' uniforms - Dan.
ComplexEnigma
ComplexEnigma
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March 26th, 2013 at 1:22:58 PM permalink
Quote: Paigowdan

Yes.

You have to know the games first hand - you pretty much have to have dealt - in order to visually spot a wrong dealing move, let's say. Witnessing a gaffed dealer or player motion has to be instantly seen and felt as suspect from the get-go, or else you might miss it.



Hmm makes sense. However none of the requirements for the postings I saw mentioned dealing. Only thing I remember is game knowledge. I knew one person a while ago who worked casino surveillance and I don't believe he worked as a dealer.

When I get home I'll post the job links.
Paigowdan
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March 26th, 2013 at 1:28:11 PM permalink
I do think it's possible to survey table games without dealing experience, though it can help greatly. It gives a visceral, instinctual sense of a dealer or player's table actions, in terms of it being legit or gaffed.
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes - Henry David Thoreau. Like Dealers' uniforms - Dan.
brianparkes
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March 28th, 2013 at 3:05:34 PM permalink
Quote: Paigowdan

Yes.

You have to know the games first hand - you pretty much have to have dealt - in order to visually spot a wrong dealing move, let's say. Witnessing a gaffed dealer or player motion has to be instantly seen and felt as suspect from the get-go, or else you might miss it.



It really depends. Most of my best observers have come into the industry not knowing anything about it. I have trained them from scratch and they have worked out great. It takes some dedication on their part to learn everything from the information provided. I tend to shy away from hiring ex-dealers for surveillance. They tend to get the itch to go back to where the tips are and a lot of them cannot handle the social isolation.
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