Casinos are often full of slot machines of various denominations. Some can be played for a nickel, others for a quarter or a dollar, or even higher. Every slot is a possible generator of income for the casino. In order for slots to generate monies, they must be kept in proper working condition.
Slot machines, like all other electronic devices, sometimes break or malfunction. When this occurs, they cannot be played and do not produce any revenue. Casinos employ a staff of mechanics to keep the slots in working condition. The people responsible for handling the physical repair of the machines are called Slot Mechanics. They may also be referred to as slot repair mechanics or slot technicians. Depending on the size of the casino and the number of slots housed, there may be from eight to 20 mechanics or more employed by the casino.
The Casino Slot Mechanic has a number of duties. The individual works under the supervision of the slot repair manager. The Slot Mechanic performs regular maintenance on slots in the casino and casino hotel area. Preventive maintenance keeps machines working longer with less extensive repair. Casino Slot Mechanics must also fix slots that are not working properly. Machines may not work correctly for a number of reasons: programs may need readjusting; machines might have been tilted; slots may require a fill; or parts may malfunction. The Slot Mechanic is responsible for fixing those machines that need repair promptly. This will often be done under the direction of the slot repair manager. The Slot Mechanic may assist the slot repair manager in converting machines to different denominations. Casinos may find, for example, they want more quarter machines instead of nickel slots. Other duties of the Casino Slot Mechanic may include
Factors affecting earnings include the geographic location, size, and prestige of the specific casino, as well as the level of experience and responsibilities of the individual. Generally, those with the most experience working in larger, more prestigious casinos in the gambling capitals earn the highest salaries.
Opportunities are plentiful for skilled people. While people may find employment in any casino in the world, the greatest number of 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, and Detroit offer the greatest number of job possibilities. Other employment settings include casino hotels in other areas of Nevada, Mississippi, New York, Louisiana, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Arizona, and California. Other regions hosting Indian gaming and landbased or riverboat gaming facilities or cruise ships 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. Because many casinos are open 24 hours a day and machines must be fixed promptly, people may work various shifts. These include the day shift, evening or swing shift, overnight or graveyard shift. Shift hours may vary in different casinos. The day shift, for example, may run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the swing shift from 4 p.m. to midnight; and the overnight or graveyard shift from midnight to 8 a.m. Some casinos may have overlapping shifts or different hours.
Casino Slot Mechanics can advance their careers by obtaining experience and locating similar positions in larger or more prestigious casinos. As casinos like to promote from within, with experience, Slot Mechanics also can advance to become slot repair managers. Casino Slot Mechanics must attend slot technicians school, a program in which individuals learn to repair and maintain slot machines. The program offers fundamentals of troubleshooting and repairing all models of electromechanical, electronic, and microprocessor-controlled slot machines. Additional courses may cover advanced troubleshooting in specific brands of microprocessor slot machines.
Individuals must be licensed as Slot Mechanics as well as having state licensing for working in a gaming area. Minimum age requirements apply. Depending on the specific job, people may start out as slot technician trainees. They may then move up to become full-fledged Casino Slot Mechanics. Slot Mechanics have manual dexterity and an understanding of electronics Slot Mechanics in most casinos are not usually unionized. Individuals working on riverboats or cruises, however, may be members of various unions.
Those interested in learning more about careers in this area should contact gaming schools, academies, and community colleges offering training in slot machine repair, as well as the human resources departments in casinos.
1. Visit the human resources departments of casinos and inquire about job openings.
2. Become more marketable by obtaining training and licensing in a range of types of machines.
3. Continue taking classes in slot repair, advanced troubleshooting, and specific brands of slot machines.
4. Jobs are often advertised in the classified sections of newspapers in areas hosting gaming. Look under classifications such as “Slot Technician,” “Slot Mechanic,” “Casinos,” “Casino Jobs,” “Casino Opportunities,” or “Gaming.”
5. Positions may also be advertised on individual casino Web sites under employment opportunities.
6. New casinos under construction are a great place to look for employment. Stop at their human resources departments and ask for an application.
7. Most casinos have job hotlines. These are frequently updated messages listing job availabilities. You can call each casino directly to get its job hotline phone number.
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