Online Colleges for Casino Management: How to Choose

When choosing on online program in casino management, students need to take into account a number of factors, including employer education preferences, type of gaming facility they want to work for and future job outlook for casino managers. Courses covering licensure may be important as well.

How to Select an Online Casino Management School

Job Requirements

Many casinos establish their own training requirements. Students who have an idea of which facility they'd like to work for upon graduation should check with its owners or managerial staff to determine their educational requirements.
Casino managers are required to be licensed by a state gaming control board or other regulatory agency. Students may want to consider programs with courses given by a state gaming control board that cover topics, such as audits, regulatory compliances, restricted licenses and background investigations.

Specialty Casinos

The type of casino an individual wishes to work at is also important when choosing a degree program. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Native American casinos are located in more than half of the states in the U.S. (www.bls.gov). Future employment of casino workers was anticipated to rise because of an increase in the popularity of Native American casinos, noted the BLS.
Employment growth was also predicted to result from an increase in the popularity of racinos or racetrack casinos. Students may want to consider selecting a program with courses in Native American and tribal gaming or racing operations.

Program Overviews

Certificate

The certificate program typically provides basic training in casino management. Certificate programs can be coupled with a related discipline, such as hospitality. General course topics include marketing, gaming law, staffing, accounting, gaming protection and event management.
A personal computer with a high-speed modem connection (cable or DSL) is required to take online courses. The computer should have installed on it a Java-capable browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari. An institution may ask students to use a university e-mail address. In addition, students may need Adobe Reader, Flash, Microsoft Office and Real Player.

Associate Degree

The associate program may include liberal arts courses as well as training in casino management. The program may also require the completion of a paid or college-credit internship at a gaming facility. General course topics may include, introductory gaming, accounting, math, biology, psychology, microeconomics, hospitality, ethics, food and beverage management, sales, marketing and communications.
Students are required to have basic computer skills. These may include how to use a computer, the Internet and sent e-mails (with attachments). Students should know how to use word processing and spreadsheet programs. A school may have a tutorial that instructs students in the proper use of online tools used in taking a course. Help desk and other technical tutorials may be available.