With the relatively recent expansion and legalization of casinos and gaming establishments nationwide, job opportunities are no longer limited to areas such as Nevada and New Jersey. Legalized gambling in the US now includes casino gaming, dog and horse racing, lotteries, and charitable gaming. Gaming has become a huge, multi-billion-dollar industry, and a degree in hospitality management with an emphasis on casinos and gaming is one sure way to break into this lucrative industry.
Casino and Gaming Coursework
While there are myriad careers within the gaming and casino industry, a degree program in casino and gaming will guide you on a career path in management, gaming commission membership, and other supervisory jobs in the industry. The program will teach you the basic fundamentals of hospitality and tourism, and the specifics of the casino and gaming industry. You will learn the various hospitality industry computer and training systems, as well as the history and laws of gaming.
A survey of courses at one university's casino and gaming degree program reveals the types of classes you might take:
- Casino Hotel Management
- Hospitality Labor Relations
- Principles of Tourism
- Managerial Aspects of Purchasing
- Catering/Beverage Management
- Hospitality Industry Training Systems
Career Outlook for Hospitality Management Graduates
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, predicts that the demand for gaming is showing no signs of waning, so job opportunities in casinos and gaming will rise higher than the national average through 2014. In 2004 there were approximately 177,000 people employed by gaming-38,000 of those were for managerial positions. Wages vary according to occupation, experience level, training, and the size of the establishment, but the average wage for a gaming supervisor/manager is around $40,000, according to the BLS. You should note that working in the gaming industry requires a licensing process, which includes a background check.
