Many casino customers choose a facility by the type of service they receive. The gaming industry, like others in the hospitality industry, is a people business. Casinos cater to guests in order to attract and keep them. Casino Hosts are individuals who offer a variety of services to guests to make their stay more enjoyable. Responsibilities of Casino Hosts vary, depending on the specific casino and its structure.
Casino Hosts are responsible for providing special treatment to preferred guests, high rollers, high-limit guests, VIPs and invited guests, and celebrities. They may also provide special services for day-to-day customers. Casino Hosts meet and greet customers at the casino. In some casinos, an executive casino host handles VIP guests and celebrities who visit the casino. Casino Hosts are highly visible. They walk around the casino, answer questions, and talk to guests to make them feel good about being there.
Sometimes customers call Casino Hosts before a visit and request they make room reservations for them. Hosts are then responsible for obtaining the type of rooms with the amenities needed for the guest. It is imperative to the success of the casino to keep all guests happy, especially premium customers and high rollers. Casino Hosts may assist premium guests in any number of ways, including securing accommodation, making dinner reservations, obtaining tickets to entertainment events, coordinating visits to the health club or spa, and so forth.
When people spend a great deal of money in casinos, the facility often "comps" goods or services for these individuals. (Comp is short for complimentary and means that the casino provides these items or services free.) The Casino Host may comp an array of amenities, including rooms, meals, drinks, or tickets to shows. The comps generally depend on the amount an individual is spending in the casino. The Casino Host can track the amount being spent by customers in order to know what type of comps should be authorized.
Casinos often maintain players’ clubs designed to bring in and keep customers and build traffic. Membership entitles guests to various amenities, specials, and promotions. Casino Hosts are expected to explain players’ clubs to guests and answer any questions they may have regarding membership.
Successful Casino Hosts keep in contact with their customers. They may invite them to parties and other special functions at the casino. Casino Hosts may call or write to customers to tell them about special promotions. Individuals may also send notes to guests who have visited the casino, thanking them for their business. These activities keep contact with premium guests and make sure they come back to the facility. Casino Hosts may also be responsible for:
- Attending players’ club functions
- Meeting and greeting individual bus tours and other groups entering the casino
- Authorizing rim credit, credit issued at the rim of the gaming table, for premium guests
- Providing special guest services
- Obtaining reservations for guests at either their casino or another casino hotel’s restaurants or entertainment facilities
Casino Hosts Salaries
Annual earnings vary from approximately $25,000 to $60,000 or more depending on a number of variables, including the specific casino in which the individual works as well as its size, prestige, and geographic location. Other factors may include the individual’s responsibilities and experience.
Generally, individuals working in larger casinos in the major gambling capitals have higher earnings than their counterparts in smaller casinos or those in other geographic locations.
Employment Prospects
Employment opportunities are good for enthusiastic, outgoing individuals interested in jobs as Casino Hosts. While individuals may find employment in any casino in the world, most opportunities exist in areas where there are a large number of casinos.
Advancement Prospects
There are a number of different paths Casino Hosts take to career advancement. Some individuals obtain experience and move on to similar positions in larger or more prestigious facilities, resulting in increased earnings. Other Casino Hosts climb the career ladder by promotion to the position of casino executive host.
Education and Training
Education and training requirements for Casino Hosts vary depending on the specific facility. The educational requirement for most positions is a high school diploma or the equivalent. As in most jobs in casinos, experience may often be accepted in lieu of education.
Many casinos have on-the-job training programs. Some have their own in-house training programs. Community colleges, vocational technical schools, and gaming institutes throughout the country also offer training useful to jobs in this industry.
Casino Hosts Special Requirements
State licensing is generally required for employees working in or around the gaming area in casinos. Generally this license is issued by a regulatory agency such as the specific state’s casino control board or commission.
Each state has its own rules and regulations regarding which specific occupational licenses and permits are necessary for casino employees. In some states, for example, individuals must apply for and obtain a general gaming license. In some there are various levels of licensure and permits. Certain states may require a key employee license for those working in the management area of casinos.
The human resource department of casinos provide individuals with specific licensing requirements for each position.
Experience, Skills, and Personality Traits
In this position, experience dealing with the public is extremely helpful. Most Casino Hosts held prior jobs in the gaming industry.
Casino Hosts should be enthusiastic, friendly, personable people with customer service skills. Individuals should enjoy socializing with others. Hosts should be articulate people with good communications skills. The ability to remember names and faces is essential.
Unions and Associations
Contact casinos or a local gaming institute, academy, or college offering classes in gaming for more information on a job in this area. Individuals might also belong to local gaming associations in their area.
Tips for Entry
1. The more you know and understand about the gaming industry, the more marketable you will be. Consider taking one or more classes at a gaming institute or academy to learn more about the industry.
2. Positions for this type of job are often advertised in the newspaper classified in areas hosting gaming. Look under "Casinos/Gaming," "Casino Hosts," "Gaming," or "Player Development."
3. If you don’t live in an area hosting gambling and are‑interested in looking for a job, consider subscribing to a newspaper in an area that does.
4. Many casinos have job hotlines advertising job availabilities. Call each casino to get its job hotline number.