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HARD COUNT ATTENDANT
A great deal of money is gambled by customers every day in casinos. Thousands of coins are deposited daily in casino slot machines, games, and drop boxes. These coins must all be collected and counted. The employees who handle these duties are called Hard Count Attendants.
While some of the traditional slot machines that take coins have been replaced by paper tickets, there still are coin-operated machines. Some also take special tokens. Hard Count Attendants may also be referred to as hard count specialists or drop box counters. They have a number of responsibilities.
Hard count attendants must go to machines throughout the casino and empty the coins that have been deposited in them. Coins are collected in bags and placed on pushcarts. The Hard Count Attendants then move these into the count room or casino vault.
Once in the counting room, Hard Count Attendants lift the bags and drop them into coin sorters. Individuals then count all the coins.
Hard Count Attendants also are responsible for emptying drop boxes. Individuals usually record the contents of each drop box separately. They then record other pertinent information such as the date, shift, and table number of each drop box. In this manner, an accurate report can be made of what was collected each day, from each box, the specific shift and table.
As in other areas of the casino, there are numerous security measures and controls associated with this type of job. Surveillance cameras constantly record workers to make sure Attendants count and account for every coin they collect. The count room is locked until the Hard Count Attendants bring in uncounted boxes. It is also locked when individuals are sorting and counting money. No unauthorized employees may enter the count room.
Hard Count Attendants usually work as part of a team. Individuals are required to empty the drop box in view of the surveillance cameras as well as in front of the other members of the team.
Hard Count Attendants count the total value of each coin denomination. Often, a second member of the team may recount. A third member must compare both numbers and verify they are the same. If they are not, attendants must recount until all numbers match. In some casinos, electronic gaming device tokens are used in lieu of coins. In these settings, the hard count attendants are expected to perform similar duties with the electronic gaming device tokens instead of coins. Additional duties of Hard Count Attendants include:
- Scaling wrapped coins
- Ensuring drop box contents are counted and accurately accounted for
- Signing reports to verify they are correct
Salaries
Hard Count Attendants are paid an hourly wage ranging from $8.50 to $20.00. Factors affecting earnings include the geographic location, size, and prestige of the specific casino or casino hotel as well as the experience of the individual.
Employment Prospects
Employment prospects are fair for this position. All casinos use Hard Count Attendants. Many casinos have only one daily count. To keep monies as secure as possible, this is usually done at night when fewer people are likely to be around. While various shifts may be available, the most common shift for this job is the graveyard or overnight shift.
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, 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 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.
Advancement Prospects
Hard Count Attendants may advance their careers in a number of ways. Some individuals are promoted to supervisory positions such as the assistant hard count or hard count supervisor. Others may take one or more classes in accounting and move into the clerical end of the department. Hard Count Attendants may also move into cage cashier positions.
Education and Training
There is no specialized training for this position. Most casinos and casino hotels prefer their Hard Count Attendants have a high school diploma or equivalent. Many casinos will assist employees in obtaining a GED if they do not have the minimum education.
Special Requirements
Hard Count Attendants must be licensed in the state in which they work. This license is generally issued by a regulatory agency such as the specific state’s casino control board or commission.
Experience, Skills, and Personality Traits
Depending on the specific casino, this may be an entry level job or may require some experience in the hard count area. One of the most important qualifications of Hard Count Attendants is the ability to count coins accurately and precisely. Individuals must be able to lift heavy loads of coins. These are often 100 pounds or more. Hard Count Attendants should be team players. They must work easily with others.
Unions and Associations
Hard Count Attendants are usually not unionized. Those interested in learning more about careers in this field should contact the human resources department of casinos.
Tips for Entry
1. Stop by casino human resources departments to inquire about job openings.
2. Jobs may be advertised in the classified sections of newspapers in areas hosting gaming. Look under classifications such as "Casinos/Gaming," "Hard Count Attendant," "Hard Count Team Member," "Drop Box Counter," "Hard Count Specialist," or "Casino/Hotel Opportunities."
3. Openings are also often advertised on the Internet. They may be located via the home pages of casino hotels. Jobs may also be found doing a search of casino or casino hotel job opportunities. Look under key words in employment or career pages such as "Casinos," "Gaming," "Hospitality," "Entertainment," or "Hard Count Attendant."
4. Casino job fairs also may feature these jobs.