Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators

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.

On the job, you would:

Monitor establishment activities to ensure adherence to all state gaming regulations and company policies and procedures.
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.
Report all violations and suspicious behaviors to supervisors, verbally or in writing.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Security guards and surveillance officers must communicate effectively with others, even in stressful situations.

Interpersonal skills. Security guards often regularly interact with the public; in addition, they must be able to handle and deescalate confrontational situations.

Observation skills. Security guards and surveillance officers must be alert and aware of their surroundings, and be able to quickly recognize anything out of the ordinary.

Problem-solving skills. Security guards and surveillance officers must be able to quickly determine the best course of action when a dangerous situation arises.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		90%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		87%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		84%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		81%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		80%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		78%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		71%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
		71%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		70%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		70%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
		69%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		69%	Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
		69%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		66%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		63%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		89%	Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
		78%	Conventional - Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
		56%	Enterprising - Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		67%	Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
		67%	Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		81%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		75%	Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
		75%	Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
		72%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		69%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		69%	Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
		69%	Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
		66%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		66%	Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
		63%	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
		60%	Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
		56%	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
		56%	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
		53%	Speed of Closure - The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
		53%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
		53%	Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
		53%	Time Sharing - The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Skills \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		55%	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
		54%	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
		52%	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Compile operational data.

Compile data or documentation.

Record operational or environmental data.

Inspect facilities or equipment to ensure specifications are met.

Inspect equipment or systems.

Inspect materials or equipment to determine need for repair or replacement.

Observe individuals' activities to gather information or compile evidence.

Operate surveillance equipment to detect suspicious or illegal activities.

Observe individuals' activities to gather information or compile evidence.

Operate surveillance equipment to detect suspicious or illegal activities.

Discuss performance, complaints, or violations with supervisors.

Monitor operations to ensure compliance with safety or security policies or regulations.

Maintain surveillance of individuals or establishments.

Train employees in proper work procedures.

Direct security operations.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		99%	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
		97%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		96%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		94%	Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting?
		93%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		92%	Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
		91%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		91%	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
		88%	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
		87%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		86%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		86%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		85%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		77%	Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
		74%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		72%	Frequency of Conflict Situations - How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
		69%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		67%	Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos?
		66%	Consequence of Error - How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
		61%	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
		61%	Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
		60%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		60%	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
		58%	Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
		54%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		54%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		95%	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		91%	Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		90%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		90%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		90%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		89%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		85%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		81%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		81%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		77%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		74%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		73%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		71%	Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		71%	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		71%	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
		69%	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		65%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		61%	Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
		61%	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
		60%	Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		57%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		57%	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
		56%	Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
		56%	Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		53%	Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
		52%	Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

What Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers Do

Security guards and gaming surveillance officers

Security guards control building access for employees and visitors.

Security guards and gambling surveillance officers protect property against theft, vandalism, and other illegal activity.

Duties

Security guards and gaming surveillance officers typically do the following:

Patrol property
Enforce rules and regulations of an employer's property
Monitor alarms and video-surveillance systems
Respond to emergencies
Deter criminal activity
Control building access by employees and visitors
Conduct security checks over a specified area
Write reports on what they observed while on duty

Guards and officers must stay alert, watching for anything unusual. In an emergency, they are required to contact police, fire, or ambulance services. Some security guards carry firearms.

Security guards work wherever people and assets need to be protected. Responsibilities vary by employer. In offices and factories, for example, security guards protect workers and equipment and check the credentials of people and vehicles entering and leaving the premises. In retail stores, guards protect people, merchandise, money, and equipment. They may work with undercover store detectives to prevent theft by customers and employees, detain shoplifting suspects until the police arrive, and patrol parking lots.

Gambling surveillance officers work in freestanding casinos and other facilities that have designated areas for gambling, such as hotels, video gaming terminals, and riverboats. They typically work from an observation room within the gaming facility.

Security guards, also called security officers, protect property, enforce rules on the property, and deter criminal activity. Some guards are assigned a stationary position from which they monitor alarms or surveillance cameras. Other guards are assigned a patrol area where they conduct security checks.

Gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators act as security agents for casinos. Using audio and video equipment, they watch casino operations for suspicious activities, such as cheating and theft, and monitor compliance with rules, regulations, and laws. They maintain and organize recordings from security cameras, which are sometimes used as evidence in police investigations.

Work Environment

Gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators held about 10,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators were as follows:

Local government, excluding education and hospitals	50%
Gambling industries (except casino hotels)	21
Casino hotels	18
State government, excluding education and hospitals	5
Spectator sports	1

Security guards held about 1.2 million jobs in 2022. The largest employers of security guards were as follows:

Investigation, guard, and armored car services	60%
Educational services; state, local, and private	6
Healthcare and social assistance	6
Accommodation and food services	5
Government	4

Security guards work in a variety of places, including industrial settings, stores, and office buildings. Gambling surveillance officers and investigators are employed in casinos and other gaming facilities only in locations where gambling is legal.

Guards may spend considerable time on their feet patrolling buildings and grounds or may sit for long periods at a single post, such as in a guardhouse at the entrance to a gated facility or community. Others may spend periods of time in a vehicle, patrolling the property and grounds.

Both security guards and gambling surveillance officers may spend much of their shift sitting at a desk or counter in a dark room, observing customers on video surveillance equipment. They may have to monitor activity on multiple screens for long periods of time without distraction.

Work Schedules

Security guards and gambling surveillance officers usually work in shifts of about 8 hours, with rotating schedules. Night shifts are common. Most security guards and gambling surveillance officers work full time. Seasonal work may be available during the holidays and during the warmer summer months in some states.

Getting Started

Education:

84%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

How to Become a Security Guard or Gambling Surveillance Officer

Most states require that guards be registered with the state in which they work.

Security guards and gambling surveillance officers typically require a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Gambling surveillance officers sometimes need experience with security and video surveillance. Most states require security guards to be licensed by the state, especially if they carry a firearm.

Education

Security guards typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, although some jobs may not require formal educational credentials. Gambling surveillance officers also need a high school diploma or equivalent.

A bachelor's degree is not required to enter the occupation. However, some security guards and gambling surveillance officers study in degree fields such as security and protective service or social science.

Training

Although most employers provide instruction for newly hired security guards and surveillance officers, the amount of training varies. Most security guards learn their job in a few weeks, but gambling surveillance officers and investigators may need several months. Employer-provided training typically covers emergency procedures, crime prevention, and proper communication.

Many states recommend that security guards receive about 8 hours of pre-assignment training, 8 to 16 hours of on-the-job training, and 8 hours of annual training. Instruction may include protection, public relations, report writing, deterring crises, first aid, and other specialized training related to the security guard’s assignment.

Training is more rigorous for armed guards because they require weapons training. Armed guards may be tested periodically in the use of firearms.

Gambling surveillance officers and investigators receive training in topics such as the rules of casino games, gaming regulations, identifying cheating techniques, and the proper use of video and radio equipment.

Drug testing may be required both as a condition of employment and randomly during employment.

Work experience in a related occupation

To enter the occupation, gambling surveillance officers and investigators typically need work experience in casinos or with video monitoring technology. Candidates sometimes gain video monitoring experience by working as a security guard.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Most states require that security guards be licensed by the state in which they work. Although licensing requirements vary by state, basic qualifications for candidates are as follows:

Be at least 18 years old
Pass a background check
Complete training

Guards who carry weapons usually must be licensed by the appropriate government authority. Positions for armed guards have more stringent background checks and entry requirements than do those for unarmed guards. Most states require rigorous hiring and screening programs, including background, criminal record, and fingerprint checks, for armed guards.

Some states and gaming facilities require a minimum age of 21 to work in a casino.

Some jobs may also require a driver's license.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of security guards and gambling surveillance officers is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032.

Despite limited employment growth, about 151,700 openings for security guards and gambling surveillance officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Security guards will continue to be needed to protect both people and property because of concerns about crime and vandalism.

States continue to legalize gambling and casinos continue to grow in number, resulting in the need for gambling surveillance officers and investigators.

Advances in remote monitoring technology, such as robots and drones, to prevent cheating may limit the employment of some security guards and gambling surveillance officers and investigators.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about security guards, visit

The International Union, Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America

Occupational Requirements Survey

For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see

Security guards (PDF)

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of security guards and gambling surveillance officers.

Occupation	Job Duties	Entry-Level Education	Median Annual Pay, May 2022
Correctional Officers and Bailiffs	Correctional officers guard people in penal institutions and guard those in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Bailiffs are law enforcement officers who maintain order in courtrooms.	High school diploma or equivalent	$49,610
Gambling Services Workers	Gambling services workers serve customers in gambling establishments, such as casinos or racetracks.	High school diploma or equivalent	$31,290
Police and Detectives	Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.	See How to Become One	$69,160
Private Detectives and Investigators	Private detectives and investigators search for information about legal, financial, and personal matters.	High school diploma or equivalent	$52,120
Firefighters	Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property, or the environment.	Postsecondary nondegree award	$51,680