Employers

While casinos are located throughout the U.S. and the world, the greatest number of positions are located in areas where there is a large concentration of casinos. In the U.S., these areas include Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada; Atlantic City, New Jersey; Chicagoland (Illinois and Indiana); Baltimore/Washington, D.C.; and New York City. Other regions host commercial and Native American gaming, both land-based and riverboat gaming facilities. Cruise ships offer additional opportunities.

Starting Out

The director of casino security is not an entry-level position. It is a high-level job that requires a good deal of experience in the gaming industry. Most directors started out working in another capacity in the casino such as security officers. After obtaining experience and receiving additional training, entry-level security or surveillance workers often are promoted into positions such as security shift commanders or sergeants or other supervisory jobs. Some directors began their careers as security officers in another industry.

The most common method for career advancement for a director of casino security is to find a similar position at a larger, more prestigious casino, resulting in increased responsibilities and earnings. Others advance by being promoted to positions such as corporate director of security or vice president of security. Some directors become security consultants for gaming companies. Others move into positions in casino management.

It's important to note that there are no hard and fast rules for climbing the career ladder in the gaming industry. While work performance is important, advancement in this and many other casino jobs is based on experience, education, training, employee attitude, and of course individual career aspirations.

Casinos like to promote from within. The best way to advance your career in a casino is to get your foot in the door, get experience, learn new skills, and then look for opportunities of interest to you. Look for classes or seminars offered in either casino management or another area of the gaming industry. In addition to learning new things, these classes give you the opportunity to network and meet new people who are often helpful in pushing your career to a new level. Similarly, try to attend gaming conferences and expos. The Global Gaming Expo, which is presented annually by the American Gaming Association, is one of the largest gaming expos in the world and offers a plethora of seminars in a variety of areas. It's a great way to network and meet potential new employers. Learn more at http://www.globalgamingexpo.com.

Prior experience in police work, the military, or private security is helpful for aspiring directors.

Gaming companies often contact search firms and recruiters that deal specifically in the gaming industry when looking for upper management. Seek out companies such as Casino Recruiter (http://casinorecruiter.com) or Bentley Price (http://www.bentleyprice.com) to get more information. You can also do a Google search to locate others. 

One of the best ways to make contacts within the gaming industry is to attend conferences and conventions. The largest is the Global Gaming Expo, which is held annually in Las Vegas. Learn more at http://www.globalgamingexpo.com.

Visit casino job Web sites such as Casino Careers (http://www.casinocareers.com) to search for job openings.

People from all over the world visit U.S. casinos. Are you fluent in another language? If so, be sure to tout this ability on your resume and during your interview. While not required, the ability to speak a second language will often give one applicant an edge over another.