Job Duties
Gaming cage workers, sometimes called cage cashiers, work in a section of casinos and other types of gaming establishments known as "the cage". The cage is the main area where money is deposited, as well as the storage area for gaming chips and paperwork. These workers are responsible for a number of different financial transactions that are necessary for gaming operations. They check the credit of patrons who wish to open a house credit account. They cash checks. They sell gaming chips, tokens, and tickets and change chips back into cash. They operate cash registers, adding machines, or computers. They are responsible for balancing the daily financial records at the end of each shift. They are required to follow certain transaction regulations, such as reporting large transactions to the Internal Revenue Service.
Job Skills
Gaming cage workers should be comfortable working in an environment in which they deal with large sums of cash. They should have excellent communication skills because they so often are required to interact with the public and represent the gaming establishment. They should be computer literate, and have knowledge of work-processing and spreadsheet software.
Income
In 2002, gaming cage workers earned a median hourly wage of $10.47. Earnings varied greatly depending on level of experience, training, location, and size of the gaming establishment in which they worked.
Training and Education
Most gaming cage worker positions require applicants to have at least a high school diploma. However, more employers are requiring applicants to have some college training. Sometimes an associate's degree in business accounting is required. Some applicants have bachelor's degrees in business, accounting, or liberal arts. Those who have bachelor's degrees usually begin working at higher salaries than those without bachelor's degrees. Experience in related jobs is highly sought after by employers.
Gaming cage workers are required to be at least 21 years of age and they must obtain a license from the State gambling commission or similar regulatory body. Applicants for these licenses are required to pay a fee, provide a photograph, and give proof of State residence. All applicants are given a thorough background check. After they are hired, gaming cage workers typically receive on-the-job training under the guidance of more experienced cage workers. Advancement usually comes in the form of more duties or transfer to a related occupation. Gaming cage workers can eventually become accountants, human resource specialists, or buyers.
Employment
In 2002, gaming cage workers held about 18,000 jobs. Most were employed by commercial casinos, and the largest concentration of workers was found in Nevada and New Jersey.
Job Outlook
Between 2002 and 2012, employment of gaming cage workers is expected to increase about as fast as the average. Even in times of economic recession, casino profits continue to rise, and many States that do not currently allow gambling are reconsidering that stance. However, employment of gaming cage workers will not be as robust as other casino workers because more casinos are moving to cashless systems that rely on debit cards. Opportunities will be best for those who have a background in mathematics, accounting, or bookkeeping, and those who have good customer service and communication skills.
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