Position Description Director of Table Games
The Director of Table Games is in charge of table gaming in the casino. This is an administrative position. Depending on the specific casino, the individual may also be referred to as the director of games or director of tables. Generally, there is one Director of Table Games in each casino.
The Director of Table Games is in charge of everything that goes on in the casino related to table games. The individual supervises the casino shift managers, who are directly under him or her, and has overall say involving the department. If there is a problem and it cannot be solved by the pit manager, the Director of Table Games must handle the situation.
The Director of Table Games is expected to supervise the casino table staff. He or she is also responsible for the scheduling, administration, and training of the table game staff. As part of his or her job, the Director of Table Games must continually monitor job performance of the department staff.
There is a great deal of responsibility in this type of job. Some of the other responsibilities include:
- Consulting and advising management regarding the casino
- Handling employee problem
- Handling customer complaints
- Ensuring and maintaining that the gaming in the casino is within state regulations
- Performing periodic analyses of operations of department action
Salaries
The Director of Table Games can earn between approximately $65,000 and $145,000 or more per year. Annual earnings for a Director of Table Games depend on the specific casino in which the individual is working, its size, prestige, and geographic location. Other variables might include the individual’s experience and his or her responsibilities. Generally, individuals working in larger casinos in the gambling capitals will earn more than their counterparts in other areas.
Employment Prospects for Director of Table Games
Employment prospects are fair for those seeking positions as the Director of Table Games. The individual may find employment in casinos throughout the world. As noted previously, there is usually one Director of Table Games in each casino, so, while individuals may find employment in any casino in the world, most opportunities exist in areas where there are a large number of casinos.
Las Vegas, Reno, Laughlin, Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City, Biloxi, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Black Hawk, and Detroit offer the greatest number of job possibilities. Other employment settings may include casino hotels in other areas of Nevada, Mississippi, New York, Louisiana, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Arizona, and California.
Other regions hosting Indian gaming and land-based or riverboat gaming facilities offer additional opportunities. New casinos and casino hotels are constantly under construction. More casinos and casino hotels are also opening every year as areas legalize gambling.
Director of Table Games Advancement Prospects
A Director of Table Games in a casino may advance his or her career by locating a similar position in a larger or more prestigious casino. This would result in increased responsibilities and earnings. The individual might also climb the career ladder by either moving into a position as a general manager or a position in the corporate area.
Education and Training
As in many casino jobs, the Director of Table Games does not necessarily need a formal education. Many casinos just require a minimum of a high school diploma or a GED. Some may give preference to individuals with a college degree. A complete knowledge of the gaming industry is required.
Most people who hold this job began as dealers. They started from the ground up and learned everything there was to know about table games. Depending on the casino, some have their own training schools. In other situations, individuals can learn by attending a gaming institute. These are located throughout the country.
Special Requirements
The Director of Table Games must be licensed in the state in which he or she works. This license is obtained from the state’s gaming authority or commission.
Experience, Skills, and Personality Traits
The Director of Table Games must have a fair amount of experience in gaming with additional experience in a supervisory capacity. In many situations, the Director of Table Games had a prior job in the same casino as a shift manager.
Individuals need supervisory and administrative skills. In order to be effective, they also are required to have excellent verbal communications skills. Interpersonal skills are also needed. The Director of Table Games may be required to calm customers with complaints or deal with employee problems.
Unions and Associations
This is not a unionized position. The Director of Table Games may be a member of local gaming associations.
Tips for Entry
1. As most people in this type of position learn from the ground up, start off by getting skilled in dealing.
2. Casinos often recruit employees from gaming schools.
3. Positions for this type of job are often advertised in the newspaper classified section in areas where gaming is prevalent. Look under headings including "Director of Table Games," "Gaming," "Casinos," or "Table Games."
4. If you don’t live in an area hosting gambling, consider subscribing to a newspaper in an area that does. You can also usually buy Sunday newspapers from different parts of the country in better bookstores and newspaper shops.
5. Contact search firms and recruiters that deal specifically in the gaming industry.
6. Don’t forget to check out jobs online. Surf the net on traditional job sites like monster.com and hotjobs.com, as well as the sites specific to the gaming industry.