How much does a dealer earn and how to become one

Everything you need to know about the salary and training of a croupier

Looking for a job is definitely not simple.
There are many obstacles that one may encounter while seeking employment.
Similarly, there are many questions that everyone asks themselves before embarking on one career path over another.
Among the professions that have always had a certain appeal, the role of a croupier is often mentioned.
As a point of reference within every casino, being a croupier is a very interesting and lucrative profession.
But how much does a croupier earn, and, most importantly, how can one enter this role? Here is an estimate of the average salary one can aspire to and the necessary training.

Who is a croupier and what do they do?

As an ancient profession in the world of gambling, a croupier is the individual in a casino who manages traditional games such as French roulette, chemin de fer, and 30/40.
The person responsible for American games like blackjack, American roulette, craps, and poker is called a dealer.
When we refer to croupiers in this context, we will speak in general terms, with necessary distinctions made if required.

So, what exactly does a croupier do?

A croupier is a gambling professional who oversees the games in an online or physical casino.
Their main tasks include providing detailed information on the rules and odds of winning to players, managing bets, ensuring players follow the rules and intervening in case of misconduct, dealing cards during blackjack games (as a dealer), and spinning the wheel and distributing chips during roulette.

In essence, a croupier acts as a referee who monitors the proper conduct of the games.
Their word is final when it comes to the rules of the game.
The responsibility is always high, and every good croupier must act precisely, without hesitation.
The meticulousness in a croupier’s work represents an important form of guarantee for players’ safety.

The salary of a croupier: how much do they earn?

A croupier typically works eight hours a day, totaling around 40 hours per week, including weekends and holidays.
Working hours usually range from 2 pm to 10 pm and from 10 pm to 6 am.
Of course, working hours can vary depending on the casino’s needs.

In the hierarchical scale, a croupier is the lowest rank within a casino.
Above them, there’s the inspector, then the assistant pit boss, and finally, the pit boss, who manages the entire gaming area.
As for earnings, a few years ago, croupiers could earn significant amounts.
Nowadays, however, salaries have stabilized.

When defining salaries, tips must also be taken into account.
Typically, all the tips are pooled and then divided among all employees.
This amount usually ranges from €200 to €400 per month on average.
In larger casinos, the amount can be considerably higher.

In Italy, there are four municipal casinos.
Therefore, croupiers are employees with contracts resulting from union agreements.
Usually, the basic salary starts from €1,300, tips excluded.
A pit boss can earn up to €4,000.

As for casinos abroad and on cruise ships, newcomers can earn from €800 to €1,200, tips excluded.
A seasoned croupier typically earns a minimum of €2,000 per month, while a pit boss can earn €5,000.

Thanks to online gaming platforms, it is possible to play comfortably from home at the casino and interact with live croupiers.
The remuneration for these croupiers is in line with that of traditional croupiers.
However, unlike the traditional ones, they have to forgo tips.

How to become a croupier: requirements, training, and courses

To become a croupier, one must take a specific course.
Both in Italy and abroad, there are various training schools that offer courses ranging from a few months to a year.
Through these courses, individuals can learn the rules and basic techniques to effectively manage well-known and common casino games like roulette, blackjack, and poker.

Since the 1990s, the Croupier Training Center has been present in Italy, with branches in Milan, Rome, Turin, and Padua, offering international recognition.
Courses are generally held several times throughout the year.
The duration is 120 hours for croupier courses and 50 hours for dealer courses.

Upon completing the lessons, one must take a test.
If successful, a training certificate is issued.
Costs vary depending on the location, typically ranging from €1,200 to €2,100 + VAT for croupier courses.
The tuition fees are usually about half for dealer courses.

Alternatively, one can join the professional croupier training school Chilton, which trains individuals aged between 18 and 35 to work for the most prestigious international casino companies and cruise ships.
The branches are located in Catania, Naples, and Palermo.

To participate in the courses, individuals must not have a criminal record.
In terms of skills, speed, concentration, good manners, and knowledge of foreign languages are required.
Once the certificate is obtained, usually, the same training school helps in finding the first job.
It is worth noting that in Italy, there is generally a lot of skepticism towards gambling, as evidenced by various restrictions on slot machines.
On the other hand, finding employment abroad is less problematic.

Usually, during the first meeting, aspiring croupiers undergo a table test, a kind of game simulation.
If the outcome is positive, they are hired.

The profession of a croupier is undoubtedly complex and demanding due to the high work pace.
However, there are ample job opportunities worldwide, and in terms of remuneration, one can earn particularly high figures.