Why We Love It
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$33,880Potential Avg. Salary
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-5.7%Job Growth Rate
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Don't Take Work HomeCareer Attribute
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Flexible HoursCareer Attribute
Casino surveillance is a kind of security professional employed by gaming services to keep casino properties, its employees and guests safe and secure. This role is instrumental in detecting threats such as cheating, theft, and other activities.
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What is a Casino Surveillance Officer?
Duties
The duties of individuals working under casino surveillance are the following:
- Undertake routine surveillance checks by reviewing existing CCTV footage and participating in team briefs to assess unusual, suspicious and illegal activity.
- Operate different equipment such as CCTV cameras in an effective and efficient manner to gather information for the protection of company assets.
- Keep up to date regarding rules and regulations of Gaming Commission to enforce the same throughout the casino property.
- Work alongside the security department when surveillance points to matters needing further investigation.
- Provide useful recommendations on revising existing policies and procedures of gaming areas, with the security of life and property in mind.
Day in the Life
Another name for casino surveillance is ‘eye in the sky’, as your role involves the clandestine monitoring of gaming operations at various types of casino properties. Most of the work includes observing the interior and exterior of the facility using a CCTV system in a professional and attentive manner to ensure proper security and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
In this role, you will keep in constant communication with uniformed security personnel on the ground as well as floor supervisors, to keep them informed of any unusual or suspicious activity at the casino. As you are responsible for protecting the interests of both patrons and employees, you have to frequently employ a working knowledge of the games in progress and track the play procedures closely. Another important task is preparing daily logs and incident reports for records and possibly as evidence in court, along with related video recordings.
Work Schedule
Casino surveillance must be comfortable with irregular hours of work due to the fact that many casinos stay open for 24 hours. Gaming officers in this position, typically work at least eight hours a day, with rotating shifts. Workers may have to show up on night shifts, holidays and the weekend to ensure that a casino’s rules are being followed.
Much of your time will be spent at observation rooms to closely monitor activities in gaming areas. Occasionally, you will move between such rooms and the casino floor to better observe employees and patrons. During this time, you must remain anonymous to customers and employees to effectively observe live gaming and money handling areas. While performing the duties of casino surveillance, you have to regularly stand, walk, sit, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The noise level of this job is usually moderate to high, depending on where you are on the property.
Growth of the Job
Job opportunities in the casino surveillance industry varies depending on geographic location and experience. You can get promoted with sufficient experience to positions like surveillance operator, surveillance lead agent, surveillance supervisor and surveillance officer.
Typical Employers
Those working in casino surveillance are usually able to find employment in states and lands managed by the US Bureau of Indian Affairs, where gambling is legally allowed. You may find a job with hotels, resorts and casinos as well as other betting spots like horse racing and sporting venues. A few are employed by federal and state governments to promote the adherence of gaming laws around the country.
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How To Become a Casino Surveillance Officer
To work in casino surveillance, you must possess the minimum of a high school diploma, combined with specialised training in maintaining and using various surveillance equipment. Eventually, completing a higher degree like an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice will prove beneficial for career advancement. You must ensure that you have a spotless criminal record with no felony or misdemeanour convictions to join the gaming surveillance field. You should also maintain a good credit history with no bankruptcy records, as financial security implies that you are less at risk when it comes to taking bribes or aiding theft on casino property.
To join an entry position, you may have to undergo a background check and be fingerprinted. Once accepted into the role, your hiring organisation will typically provide you on-the-job training regarding the day to day work, e.g. using surveillance software and equipment, interacting with customers, government officials and other employees, etc.
Casino Surveillance Officer Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$25,780Average
$33,880High Range
$50,130National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$12/hrAverage
$16/hrHigh Range
$24/hrHow do Casino Surveillance Officer salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Casino Surveillance Officer's can make an average annual salary of $33,880, or $16 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make $25,780 or $12 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#641 Nationally for All Careers
Highest Education Among Casino Surveillance Officers
- 0.6% Doctorate
- 2.8% Masters
- 13.4% Bachelors
- 11% Associates
- 31.7% College
- 33.9% High School
- 6.5% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
7,0002024 Est. Jobs
6,600Job Growth Rate
-5.7%Est. New Jobs
-400How does Casino Surveillance Officer job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of -400 jobs for a total of 6,600 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a -5.7% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#711 Nationally for All Careers
What Companies Employ The Most Casino Surveillance Officers
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gambling industries (except casino hotels) | 2,700 | --- | --- |
| Casino hotels | 2,100 | -300 | 0% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 1,400 | -100 | 0% |
