Poker Dealer School in Las Vegas
A deep market for dealers, with Nevada’s registration rules to match.
Licensing & AuditionsLas Vegas has more poker rooms in a small area than almost anywhere else, which is why people search for a poker dealer school in Las Vegas from all over the country. It is a deep market for dealers — and a competitive one.
Nevada’s Rules for Gaming Employees
Nevada law does not allow anyone under 21 to be employed as a gaming employee, and dealers must be registered with the Nevada Gaming Control Board before they start working. Registration is typically filed through the employer, with the applicant paying the fee the Board sets, and includes a background check. Nevada regulations provide for temporary registration while an application is being processed. Check the Board’s website for the current process and fees; they are not listed here because they change.
Training in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has several kinds of dealer training: private dealer schools, some of which teach poker alongside table games; continuing-education courses; and in-house programs that individual casinos run when they need dealers. The volume of rooms also means more chances to audition, from large resort poker rooms to small neighborhood casinos.
What Las Vegas does not do is lower the bar. Rooms see a steady stream of candidates, so clean mechanics and calm table control matter. New dealers often start on graveyard shifts or in smaller rooms, then move to busier rooms as they gain experience and references.
Choosing a Poker Dealer School in Las Vegas
- Ask which rooms hire the school’s graduates, and confirm with those rooms.
- Choose a program with plenty of live-dealing time and mock auditions.
- Find out whether you can keep practicing at the school between auditions.
- Consider learning a table game as well; versatility helps in a mixed casino.
- Get every cost and refund term in writing before you pay.
Our full list of questions to ask a school applies in Las Vegas as anywhere else.
Living and Working in Las Vegas
Casinos run around the clock, so schedules include nights, weekends and holidays, and the busiest periods follow major events and tournament seasons. If you are moving to train, budget for time between finishing school and getting your first job; auditions and registration take time. The Best of the USA directory can help you find local services once you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to live in Nevada to train in Las Vegas?
No. Many people come to Las Vegas to train. To work as a dealer in Nevada, though, you will need to register as a gaming employee with the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and you must be at least 21.
Is it harder to get hired in Las Vegas?
Las Vegas has a large number of poker rooms but also many experienced dealers. New dealers often start in smaller rooms or on less popular shifts and move up as they gain experience.
21+ note: Most U.S. casinos and many card rooms require gaming employees to be at least 21, and Nevada law sets 21 as the minimum for any gaming employee. Some states and venues set different ages, so check with your state’s gaming regulator before you enroll anywhere. This site explains a job; it does not promote gambling. If gambling is causing harm for you or someone close to you, the National Council on Problem Gambling lists free, confidential help.
Get Audition-Ready
See exactly what Las Vegas poker rooms are likely to ask you to do when you audition, and how licensing fits in.
Licensing and Auditions