You may have gone to a casino in the past and are considering looking for a job at one after completing your sentence. The issue is whether or not casinos run background checks.
Let’s take a look at this question.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the following:
- Do Casinos Hire Felons?
- Casino Application Process
- Background Check?
- Does the Type of Felony Make a Difference?
- Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
- What to Do if You Fail a Casino Background Check
Contents
Do Casinos Hire Felons?
The simple answer is yes that casinos do hire felons.
There is not a long list of felons that they hire, and it does depend on the particular casino. Of course, it will depend on a number of other factors also.
As you might imagine, casinos often get a bad name because of the tendency of being seen as connected to organized crime. Therefore, casinos take extra precaution in their hiring policies. Again, it will make a difference as to the particular casino.
Each one will have its own guidelines to follow and the appropriate background check that is used there.
Casino Application Process
The gambling industry employs as many as 200,000 people at casinos in a number of different locations in various states.
Typically, you must be at least 18 years old, although some casinos want employees to be at least 21 years old. An applicant is typically required to have a high school diploma or a GED.
Casinos offer a variety of jobs from being a dealer to a host to a server along with working as a clerk or as kitchen staff. Jobs at casinos tend to be in a high-stress, fast-paced environment with a lot of noise and activity. You need to be prepared to have a job in a casino.
For many positions, you need to have a gaming license, which allows you to work in a casino. This is due to efforts to keep the gambling industry free from crime and other negative influences.
Background Checks?
Of course there is a background check that is done on any applicant for a position at a casino.
Remember they want to maintain high standards and keep their establishment free from crime. Casinos make an effort to protect employees and guests from violence and robbery while they enjoy the gaming opportunity.
They value each guest and want to encourage them to return. Dishonesty will be a huge deterrent to getting a job at a casino. Think about how much money changes hands in a casino on a daily basis. Theft and fraud will prevent you from being hired there. Casinos have a zero-tolerance policy for felonies and drug use.
If you want to work in the casino industry, you must undergo an extensive examination of your professional background and a review of your personal character.
A background check at a casino typically includes a fingerprint background check. Most positions at a casino have an important role in the security and operations of the casino.
If there is evidence of a criminal conviction, you must provide the dates and details of what happened for any arrest even if the charges were dropped or dismissed.
A casino background check may involve a variety of areas, including:
- Driving record
- Employment history
- Medical records
- Credit history for the last 8 to 10 years
A negative work history or a criminal record will likely prevent you from working on the casino floor. You may still be able to get other support jobs such as casino or restaurant positions, however.
You will likely be asked to sign a waiver or notification of an investigative report being made concerning your character, reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living.
There may also be a statement acknowledging that you realize the casino might seek information about you from:
- Government agencies
- The military
- Law enforcement agencies
- Credit reporting agencies
- Previous employers
As if that wasn’t enough, some casinos may also ask for a family history such as where your father, mother, spouse, and siblings work.
This is an attempt to establish a higher legitimacy in the casino and gambling industry.
Because casino workers typically handle a large amount of cash, an employer must know that an employee can be trusted not to steal from them.
Some casinos will only check for your criminal record and call previous employers to verify your work history. Others may ask previous employers how you performed your duties, salary history, attendance record, and reason for leaving that particular job.
In addition, there may be a request for an account of your character, attitude, and behavior on the job.
Casino personnel who review your background don’t want someone who doesn’t succeed after starting a job. If there is any criminal record, the casino will find out about it, so it’s important to be open and honest from the beginning. Mistakes such as a DUI conviction at least five years in the past will not necessarily disqualify you from being a casino floor employee.
A casino employee is required to pass a background check to get a gaming license, which is required for almost all casino employees in the U.S. Casino dealers will probably need to pass a reference background check from former employees. This will inquire about your trustworthiness and competency with numbers.
Does the Type of Felony Make a Difference?
Certainly the type of felony makes a difference to any casino. A casino will not hire anyone whose background includes a conviction for financial or violent crimes. A casino will not want anyone who has been convicted of embezzling funds or who may have an unpredictable personality.
Crimes against persons will be heavily frowned on. Since casinos cater to the public, they are not likely to hire someone they believe might present a threat to patrons of their establishment.
Other types of felonies may be considered. Of course, this will depend on the particular casino. Each casino will have its own hiring guidelines to follow. You might hope that a casino would consider each on a case-by-case basis.
For other crimes, a casino will often consider you based on:
- The nature of the offense and the circumstances
- Length of time since the conviction
- Work experience
- An applicant’s skills related to the position
Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
Yes, you can. Just like a potential employer would do if you applied there.
Running a background check on yourself before applying at a casino will tell you exactly what will be discovered when a casino does their review.
If you have any questions, you can contact an attorney. Take action and don’t risk a chance on the results.
Give yourself the best chance at success by being in the know regarding your criminal history, so you aren’t taken by surprise.
What to Do if You Fail a Casino Background Check
No, you might not pass a casino background check. Even after doing your own check, a casino may still not hire you based on their results. After all, they don’t hire all felons.
If you think there was a mistake, you can challenge those results. If you aren’t hired, the world won’t end. Be ready to move on.
You can learn from your experience, and be ready for your next job application. There are jobs available with other employers. Look elsewhere and find a job that might suit you better. Don’t give up.
It may sound facetious, but you don’t have to bet on your future success. Be prepared and reduce the odds against yourself.
There is an employer who will give you a chance. You just haven’t found that one yet. It takes perseverance but doesn’t give up.
Keep on looking until you find the one that will give you an opportunity.
So what do you think about this blog post about whether casinos run background checks? Have you or someone you know had a casino run a background check? What was that like and what happened with it? Please tell us in the comments below.
