Description
Casino pit bosses support the management team and are able to manage, inspect and deal with all gaming activities. They supervise the gaming floor operation, and are accountable for influencing the spend and income per head to achieve the required margin whilst ensuring that the highest standards of efficiency, security and signature service standards are achieved in accordance with all company procedures and current legislation.
Duties
The duties of a casino pit boss include, but are not limited to:
- Monitoring table games for cheating or fraud by patrons, and reporting any instances to security
- Making sure that dealers adhere to the rules regarding bets, payouts, and playing procedures
- Responding to player complaints regarding cheating or other unfair behavior by other players or the dealer
- Training dealers on proper gaming procedures
- Keeping track of game statistics such as number of hands played, number of chips purchased, and number of payouts made
- Ensuring that slot machines are always available for use and resolving issues with the machines if they become damaged or malfunction
- Making decisions regarding the prioritization of customer service issues based on established standards of operation
Other titles
The following job titles also refer to casino pit boss:
pit boss
pit manager
gaming floor manager
electronic gaming supervisor
gaming floor boss
casino pit boss and dealer
casino dealer and pit boss
gaming floor supervisor
casino pit boss & dealer
gaming supervisor
casino dealer & pit boss
Working conditions
Casino pit bosses work in the pit areas of casinos. The pit is an area on the casino floor containing tables for games like blackjack, craps, roulette, etc. Pits may vary in size depending on the specific casino and its size but generally have between eight and twelve blackjack sized tables or six to eight craps or roulette tables.
All casinos with table games employ pit bosses so they may find opportunities wherever casinos are located. Pit bosses generally work eight hour shifts with scheduled breaks. Individuals may work various shifts including nights, weekends and holidays.
The casino floor can be noisy and loud. In facilities which allow smoking, individuals are exposed to second hand smoke. Depending on the situation, this can be a high stress environment. As casino pit bosses are the ultimate decision maker in a pit dispute, they are often around people who may be unhappy and rude.
Minimum qualifications
Casino pit bosses generally begin their careers as dealers, so most go through dealer training at in-house training programs offered at casinos, gaming academies or dealer schools located throughout the country in areas hosting casinos. Some are private. Others may be part of a vocational-tech school, community college or four year university.
Pit managers must be licensed in the state in which they work. This license is generally issued by a national regulatory agency.
Employers generally conduct background checks of prospective pit managers, require that they have no criminal record, and pass a drug test. Casino pit bosses must also meet the local position’s age requirement.
Extensive experience working in the gaming industry is necessary for this position. Depending on the specific job, individuals are generally required to have a minimum of five years to seven year working with table games with three to five of those in a supervisory and management capacity such as a table games supervisor or floor person. Administrative and clerical experience is often needed as well.
ISCO skill level
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
- the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
- the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
- the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Casino pit boss is a Skill level 2 occupation.
Casino pit boss career path
Similar occupations
These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to casino pit boss.
casino gaming manager
gaming dealer
bingo caller
casino cashier
lottery cashier
Long term prospects
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of casino pit boss. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of casino pit boss with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
gaming inspector
auctioneer
department store manager
retail department manager
gambling manager
Essential knowledge and skills
Essential knowledge
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of casino pit boss.
- Casino policies: The policies and requirements that govern the activities of a casino.
- Casino game rules: The rules and principles that govern the different games played within a casino.
Essential skills and competences
These skills are necessary for the role of casino pit boss.
- Follow safety precautions in a gaming room: Follow the safety rules concerning gaming rooms to ensure the safety and the pleasure of the gamers, personnel and other by-standers.
- Remove cheating players: Detect and expel suspected cheating players
- Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
- Follow ethical code of conduct of gambling: Follow the rules and ethical code used in gambling, betting and lottery. Keep the entertainment of players in mind.
- Sell gaming activities on the floor: Persuade players to participate in specific gaming activities and opportunities on a casino gaming floor.
- Carry out active selling: Deliver thoughts and ideas in impactful and influencing manner to persuade customers to become interested in new products and promotions. Persuade clients that a product or service will satisfy their needs.
- Ensure compliance with gaming laws: Ensure full compliance within the requirements of the local gambling regulations and laws, Company policy and procedures, including Employment Law and any other relevant legislation or authorities.
- Supervise casino staff: Observe, supervise and schedule the daily tasks of casino employees.
Optional knowledge and skills
Optional knowledge
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of casino pit boss. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Company policies: The set of rules that govern the activity of a company.
Optional skills and competences
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of casino pit boss. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Apply conflict management: Take ownership of the handling of all complaints and disputes showing empathy and understanding to achieve resolution. To be fully aware of all Social Responsibility protocols and procedures, and to be able to deal with a problem gambling situation in a professional manner with maturity and empathy.
- Schedule gaming tables: Schedule the use of the casino gaming tables and the staff working schemes.
- Apply numeracy skills: Practise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.
- Monitor casino client satisfaction: Welcome casino customers; ask their opinion about casino service and quality.
- Maintain gaming equipment: Maintenance of gaming tools, equipment and supplies.
- Inspect casino floor: Monitor and inspect gaming activities on a casino floor.
- Attract gamers: Attract customers to the casino games and engage with them.
- Handle game complaints: Resolve complaints regarding gaming operations.
- Show diplomacy: Deal with people in a sensitive and tactful way.
ISCO group and title
4212 – Bookmakers, croupiers and related gaming workers
References
- Casino pit boss – ESCO
- Gambling Services Workers : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Pit Boss Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder
- Pit bosses – Firsthand.co
