Casinos in Canada
Canada sits between the European and American casino models, government run operations with large, well resourced properties and a player culture that draws from both traditions.
GammonFrog
Cruise and casino work, from people who've done both. Hiring, ports, contracts. Audio on every article, and weekly podcast.
Casinos in the United States
The largest casino market in the world operates on a state by state basis, produces over $70 billion in annual revenue, and runs on a philosophy of entertainment that is different from the European model.
Casinos in Europe
Not a comprehensive directory, a practical guide to the casino landscape across Europe and what it means for casino professionals deciding where to send their CV.
Casinos in Denmark
Seven licensed casinos, all operated under Casinos Austria International, and one of the better employment packages available in European land based gaming. Worth knowing about.
Casinos in the Netherlands
Holland Casino is the only licensed casino operator in the Netherlands, a state owned company with strong employment conditions, and a hiring structure that experienced professionals need to understand before they commit three years to it.
Key West, the Southernmost Stop
The southernmost city in the continental United States, small, colorful, walkable, and genuinely unlike any other US port on the itinerary.
Madeira, Worth Going Ashore
A volcanic island in the middle of the Atlantic, European in character, ancient in feel, and one of the more rewarding ports on any itinerary that includes it.
Basic Rules on Cruise Ships and Basic Human Decency
Every ship has rules, written and unwritten. The written ones are in your welcome manual. The unwritten ones determine whether your contract goes smoothly or ends early.
Working for NCL Casinos
NCL runs its casino operation on a fixed salary model with no tips, a straightforward trade off that suits some professionals well and others less so. Here is what the full picture looks like.
Working for MSC Casinos
The world's largest privately owned cruise line has a casino operation with its own distinct structure. Here is what sets it apart from the bigger corporate players.
Traveling to Your Ship
Getting to the ship is the part most new crew underestimate. One lost bag on the wrong flight and your first night onboard becomes much more complicated than it needed to be.
Cruise Lines Tipping Culture
Tips are not a bonus on a cruise ship. For casino dealers, they are the job. Here is what you need to understand before your first contract.
Poker Rooms, What to Know Before You Deal
Working in a poker room is a different job from dealing casino games, and understanding that difference before you walk in is the most important preparation you can do.
Manaus on the Amazon
A three week journey through the Panama Canal and deep into the Amazon, Manaus is not a shopping port. It is an experience unlike anything else on the itinerary calendar.
Copenhagen, Worth the Walk
Colorful, clean, and genuinely worth the effort of getting into the city, Copenhagen is one of those ports that tends to leave a lasting impression.
Barcelona Beyond the Rambla
One of the longest and most crew friendly ports on any Mediterranean itinerary, Barcelona gives you a full day in one of Europe's most compelling cities.
The Cruise Line Recruitment Process
From your first application to stepping onboard for the first time, what the cruise line hiring process looks like and what to expect along the way.
The Casino Recruitment Process
Walking into the hiring process unprepared is one of the easiest mistakes to avoid. Here is how it typically works and what you should be paying attention to along the way.
New York, Home Port and a Casino Gone Dark
One of the most iconic home ports on any itinerary, New York gives you a full day in Manhattan, low tax electronics, and a city that rewards every visit differently.
Working for Carnival Casinos
Carnival Corporation is bigger than most people realize, and working for their casino operation offers more variety, more stability, and more long term upside than the surface level picture suggests.
