Casino Hotel Entertainer Job Profile
Entertainment is a big attraction at many casinos and casino hotels. Facilities may have a variety of entertainment venues. These include showrooms, lounges, and nightclubs of different sizes utilizing various types of entertainment. A wide array of Entertainers are booked at casinos and casino hotels, including singers, magicians, dancers, jugglers, and comedians. While showrooms often host big-name entertainers and/or major extravaganzas to attract customers, lounges and nightclubs feature a combination of talent to entertain guests. Some Entertainers are well known through television, movies, radio, and records. However, lesserknown people may be equally talented.
Entertainers put together a show to entertain a seated audience.
The set may be any combination of music, songs, dancing, jokes, ad libs, and skits. Entertainers may also utilize light shows, special effects, and costumes to create elaborate productions or shows with a great deal of excitement. Other duties of Entertainers performing in a casino hotel showroom, lounge, or nightclub may include:
- Involving the audience in the show
- Obtaining bookings
It is difficult to determine earnings of Entertainers.
The range can be tremendous. Earnings depend to a great extent on the popularity and reputation of the entertainer. A popular singer or singing group earns more than a singer or group that is lesser known. In certain areas, minimum earnings are set by the presiding union.
Employment opportunities for Entertainers in casinos and casino hotels are good.
As noted previously, these facilities utilize a wide variety of Entertainers. In addition to working in nightclubs, lounges, and showrooms, Entertainers may be booked to work in other settings, including special events, players’ club parties, VIP parties, or corporate events. Las Vegas, Reno, Laughlin, Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City, Biloxi, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Detroit offer the greatest number of job possibilities. Other employment settings include casinos and 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 opening every year as new areas legalize gambling.
Entertainers working in casinos and casino hotels can climb the career ladder by earning more popularity and building a following. Entertainers who are professional and exciting can find employment in larger and more prestigious casinos and casino hotels.
There is no formal educational or training requirement for Entertainers.
Individuals may have music, voice, or dance training, or may be self-taught. Special Requirements Depending on the specific facility, and whether or not alcohol is being served there may be minimum age requirements.
Generally, Entertainers working in casinos and casino hotels have had prior experience performing. Often individuals or groups perform in other venues before finding employment in these facilities. In order for Entertainers to be successful, they must be talented, energetic, charismatic individuals with a great deal of stage presence.
Entertainers working in casinos may be members of various unions, including the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). Those interested in learning more careers in entertainment at casinos and casino hotels should contact the directors of entertainment, house bookers, or musical directors at these facilities.
Can I become one?
1. You often are required to be a member of the appropriate union to perform in a casino.
2. Contact casino and casino hotel house bookers and directors of entertainment.
3. Openings are often advertised in the classified sections of newspapers in areas hosting gaming. Look under classifications such as “Entertainment,” “Casinos/Casino Hotels,” “Casino Hotel Entertainment,” “Singer,” “Comedian,” “Dancer,” “Entertainer,” “Magician,” and so on.
4. Jobs may also be located in trade publications such as Billboard.
5. Make sure you have professional 8 X 10 glossy photographs, bios, and press kits.
6. Retain an agent to help you find work.
7. Get booking commitments in writing. You might want to engage an attorney to put together a standard contract.