Managing a casino means having and utilizing a broad skill set. According to ZipRecruiter, “As a casino manager [also known as gaming manager], your main responsibility is to oversee the day-to-day operations of a casino. You supervise staff members, supervise security operations, monitor gaming facilities, and provide excellent customer service. … A gaming manager’s goal is to ensure the smooth operation of the casino to earn the organization a profit while following all gaming laws.”
This means knowing whom to hire and how to train them, how to communicate effectively with all departments of your casino and how to handle guests. A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management can help you develop these skills and give you a competitive edge in the industry, preparing you for situations you will face in the world of casino gaming.
Not Just a Casino
Chron contributor Ruth Mayhew writes, “Many casinos — on the Strip in Las Vegas and elsewhere — are known for their elaborate buffets and top-notch restaurants. … Although they may only be peripherally involved in their restaurants’ operations, casino managers must be familiar with food and beverage industry procedures, staffing and workforce quality, and how to sustain restaurant operations.”
The online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Hospitality Management program at Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Southeastern) prepares students for the world of casinos with courses like Hospitality Management and Native American Gaming Management.
The Hospitality Management course covers “the growth and development of the hospitality industry, travel and tourism, hotel operations, restaurants and food service, casinos, theme parks, and event management.” Similarly, the Native American Gaming Management course covers “all facets of casino operations, from food and beverages to cage operations, auditing, marketing and reporting.”
Southeastern’s program includes additional hospitality management courses on subjects that span business operations and functions in hotel, restaurant, tourism and other hospitality settings. Students also participate in a management internship with professionals in the field, allowing students to apply and deepen what they learn through real-life experience. The skills developed in these and other foundational business courses will help you to stand out in your career as a gaming manager.
Understanding People
It is the responsibility of gaming managers to hire and manage the floor staff of a casino. According to Mayhew, “A casino manager … supervises casino employees, oversees the casino’s operations and adherence to state gaming regulations, and ensures that the casino has adequate and properly licensed staff.” This means a gaming manager must know how to properly vet, hire, train and manage staff.
This essential aspect of management is covered in the Hospitality Human Resource Management course, which “approaches hospitality human resource management as a decision making process that affects the performance, quality, and legal compliance of the hospitality business as a whole.” This prepares students to deal with any problems that may arise with the staff.
Follow the Money
Gaming managers need to understand and track the flow of money. The online BBA in Hospitality Management program at Southeastern offers both Fundamentals of Financial Accounting and Fundamentals of Managerial Accounting. These courses provide students with the knowledge to keep track of and understand financial statements, budgeting and basic costing.
Being a gaming manager can be exciting and financially rewarding, with a median 2022 salary of $80,710, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Managing casinos also requires a diverse skillset. Southeastern’s online BBA in Hospitality Management gives students an advantage in the job market and on the casino floor.
Learn more about Southeastern’s online BBA in Hospitality Management program.