To become a casino dealer in the US you need to learn at least one table or poker game well, pass a casino audition, and get a gaming license from your state’s regulator, which usually means a background check and a drug test. Most dealers start with a high school diploma and a few weeks of dealer school or in-house training. This guide covers which games to learn, how licensing and hiring work, and the habits that help new dealers earn tips.
Casino dealer at a glance
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training | Dealer school (often a few weeks per game) or casino training |
| License | State gaming license: ID, fee, background check, drug test |
| Minimum age | Set by each state |
| Median pay | $34,320 a year (BLS, May 2025), before tips in many casinos |
| Jobs | About 88,900 in the US, projected to grow 3% over ten years |
Types of casino dealers
Start by deciding what kind of dealer you want to be. Table game dealers play against the customer: you represent the house, take losing bets and pay winners. Poker dealers do not play against anyone. You run the game, announce the action, make sure players act in turn, manage the pot, award it to the right player and keep order at the table.
You can learn the games at a dealer school, through a casino’s own training program, or by practicing on your own with online tutorials and home games. Schools cover game rules and procedures and often the gaming laws that apply where you will work. Finishing a course helps, but it does not guarantee a job. Casinos hire after an audition, where you deal live in front of a supervisor.
Table games dealers
Most new table dealers start with blackjack and the carnival games, such as baccarat, Pai Gow, the Big Six wheel, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker and Four Card Poker. Adding craps or roulette makes you more useful to a casino, because those games take longer to learn.
Craps has many bets on the layout at once, and the dealer has to work out payouts quickly and correctly. Roulette dealing relies on memorizing payout patterns and calculating large payouts on the spot.
You also need to cut chips properly and keep your hands clean on the table, meaning every movement of chips and cards is deliberate and easy to follow. Surveillance cameras watch every table, and sloppy chip handling can look like theft even when it is not.
Poker dealers
Poker dealers should learn Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Omaha Hi-Lo, Seven Card Stud and Stud Hi-Lo, and Five Card Draw, along with how Limit, No Limit and Pot Limit betting work. Learn tournament procedures too. Many poker rooms base their house rules on the rules published by the Poker Tournament Directors Association (TDA), so they are worth reading even if you only deal cash games.
Licensing and hiring
Every dealer in a US casino needs a license from the state regulator, such as a casino control board or gaming commission. Expect to provide photo ID, pay a fee, pass a detailed background check and pass a drug test. A failed background check can cost you the license or the job. The minimum age differs by state, so check your state gaming regulator’s website before you pay for training.
Dealers and customer service
Casinos hire friendly, welcoming dealers because players stay longer at tables they enjoy. In many US casinos a large share of a dealer’s income comes from tips, so good service affects your pay as much as your skill with the cards.
Five tips for success as a dealer
1. Understand the customer. See things from the player’s side and you will handle most problems before they start. Some players will push until they get their way, which is why casinos have house rules and why dealers work under supervisors.
Pit bosses manage table games, and floor supervisors manage the poker room. They make the tough calls, and players tend to accept a decision more readily from a manager. That protects you, since you do not have to make a ruling that might cost you future tips.
2. Call the floor when in doubt. If you are unsure of a rule or a player is upset, get a supervisor. They can ask surveillance to review the hand or a payout. Never assume you know it all. Treat every player the same way, whether or not they tip.
3. Stay positive. Go to work expecting a bad shift and you will usually get one. People come to casinos to have fun, and an upbeat dealer keeps the game pleasant even when players are losing. Some players tip at the end of their session, so keep your standards up on a slow table.
4. Look and act professional. Players take rule enforcement seriously from a dealer who carries themselves well. Casinos expect clean grooming and good hygiene.
5. Dress the part for the audition. Wear neat, professional clothes and follow any dress instructions the casino gives you. Take your time during the audition and deal accurately rather than fast.
Casino dealer FAQ
Do you need a license to be a casino dealer?
Yes. US dealers must be licensed by their state’s gaming regulator, which includes a background check and usually a drug test.
How long does dealer school take?
Courses for a single table game often take a few weeks. Learning several games, or harder games like craps, takes longer.
How much do casino dealers make?
The US median wage for gambling dealers was $34,320 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Tips can add a significant amount, depending on the casino and the game.
Which game should a new dealer learn first?
Blackjack for table games, or Texas Hold’em for poker. Adding craps or roulette makes you easier to hire.
Explore more guides in our casino guides section.