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Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators

Typical education: High school diplomaModerate pressure

What they do

Observe gambling operation for irregular activities such as cheating or theft by either employees or patrons. Investigate potential threats to gambling assets such as money, chips, and gambling equipment. Act as oversight and security agent for management and customers.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $43,370 Median per year · $20.85/hr Most earn $32,730–$61,970

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Develop and maintain log of surveillance observations.
  • Observe casino or casino hotel operations for irregular activities, such as cheating or theft by employees or patrons, using audio and video equipment and one-way mirrors.
  • Develop and maintain log of surveillance observations.
  • Inspect and monitor audio or video surveillance equipment to ensure it is working appropriately.
  • Review video surveillance footage.
  • Observe casino or casino hotel operations for irregular activities, such as cheating or theft by employees or patrons, using audio and video equipment and one-way mirrors.

Job outlook

United States
2% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 1,100 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals46.8%
  • Gambling industries (except casino hotels)22.3%
  • Casino hotels22.2%
  • Spectator sports2.3%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: None

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: NoneEntry-level

This is an entry-level job. Typically you can start with a high school diploma and no prior work experience, and learn the job on the job.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish high school with strong math, communication, and people skills, which help you spot problems and write clear incident reports.

  2. Gambling Surveillance Officer

    Entry level, with on-the-job training

    Start by watching gaming floors through cameras and in person, learning the rules, game procedures, and how to spot cheating or theft. This is the job itself.

Where it can lead

  1. First-Line Supervisor of Gambling Services Workers

    1-2 years of experience first

    You lead a team of workers, handle daily schedules and incidents, and train newer staff. Showing reliability and good judgment as an officer helps you move up.

  2. Gambling Manager

    2-4 years of experience first

    You oversee a gaming area or operation, set procedures, and answer for its results. Moving up usually takes proven leadership and a solid understanding of gaming rules and controls.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and statistics classesMath helps you understand money counts, odds, and records, which are part of checking gaming operations.
  • Take English or speech classesClear writing and speaking help you write incident reports and explain what you saw to supervisors.
  • Get a part-time job that involves handling cash or customersA cashier or food service job teaches accuracy with money, following procedures, and dealing calmly with people.
  • Join a club that involves rules or teamworkDebate, student government, or a sports team builds the habit of following rules and working with others.
  • Volunteer in a setting that requires watchfulnessVolunteering as an usher, at an event, or in a store helps you practice paying attention and staying calm under pressure.

In college

  • Take criminal justice, security, or business coursesThese classes teach how theft and fraud happen and how investigations and security operations work, which is useful for this job.
  • Look for a campus security or front-desk jobCampus jobs that involve monitoring, checking IDs, or writing incident reports give you direct experience with observation and reporting.
  • Seek an internship in hospitality, gaming, or securityHands-on work in a hotel, casino, or security company shows you how these operations run and helps you build contacts.
  • Build strong written reporting skillsGaming surveillance work depends on clear, accurate reports, so writing well in any class helps.
  • Ask about certifications offered locallySome gaming jurisdictions or training providers offer short courses or licenses. Check what your state or area requires before you apply.

Tips for getting started

  • Keep your record clean. Gaming employers often run background checks and may have age and licensing requirements, so think about how your online and school history looks.
  • Practice paying close attention. Watching for small irregularities over long shifts is the core skill, and you can build it by playing observation games or volunteering in roles that require careful checking.
  • Learn the basics of how casino games work, such as cards, dice, and slots. Knowing what normal play looks like makes it easier to notice when something is wrong.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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