Occupation · SOC 33-9031
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.
Median wage
$43,900
$34,020–$62,360
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
10,000
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
8 mapped
Core skills
MonitoringCritical ThinkingSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingSocial PerceptivenessActive LearningInstructingComplex Problem SolvingTime ManagementCoordinationService OrientationManagement of Personnel ResourcesSystems AnalysisPersuasionLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationOperations MonitoringNegotiationQuality Control AnalysisMathematicsOperation and ControlTroubleshootingTechnology DesignManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesOperations AnalysisProgrammingScienceRepairingInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
English LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityComputers and ElectronicsMathematicsAdministrativeEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementTelecommunicationsPsychologyLaw and GovernmentCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesEconomics and AccountingEngineering and TechnologyMechanicalProduction and ProcessingDesignSociology and AnthropologyPhilosophy and TheologySales and MarketingGeographyPhysicsMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageTherapy and CounselingFood ProductionBuilding and ConstructionChemistryTransportationBiologyHistory and ArcheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
FileMaker ProMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PaintMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordiView Systems
Representative tasks
Documenting/Recording InformationWorking with ComputersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsGetting InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsProcessing InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleAnalyzing Data or InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersTraining and Teaching OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationCoaching and Developing OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationThinking CreativelyCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesAssisting and Caring for OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Audio and video surveillance equipment — identify and operate under direct supervision in a casino surveillance room.One-way mirrors and camera feeds — observe designated floor areas for obvious irregular patron or employee activity under guidance.State gaming regulations and company policies — recognize and reference during routine monitoring tasks on the surveillance floor.Verbal incident reports — communicate basic violations and suspicious behaviors to a supervisor promptly during a shift.Surveillance observation logs — record entries accurately using provided templates under direct oversight.Video footage playback software — review recorded clips for assigned incidents following step-by-step instructions.Equipment status checks — inspect audio and video surveillance devices at the start of each shift according to a checklist.Database and spreadsheet software — enter basic surveillance data and incident records into established systems with supervisor guidance.Casino floor layout and table game rules — learn and apply foundational knowledge to recognize out-of-pattern behavior during observation.Radio and written communication protocols — follow established procedures when reporting security concerns to floor supervisors.
developing
Multi-camera surveillance feeds — monitor simultaneously across an active casino floor with reduced oversight to detect cheating or theft patterns.Incident documentation logs — develop and maintain detailed, accurate surveillance observation records throughout each shift.Audio and video surveillance systems — inspect, troubleshoot minor malfunctions, and escalate equipment issues appropriately during operations.Written violation reports — compose clear, factual written summaries of observed infractions for supervisor review and record-keeping.State gaming regulations — apply regulatory standards independently to evaluate whether observed activities constitute a violation.Recorded surveillance footage — review and analyze video clips to reconstruct timelines of suspected incidents with moderate complexity.Employee and patron behavior patterns — assess deviations from normal activity using social perceptiveness skills in a live casino environment.Office suite and word processing software — produce formatted incident reports and shift summaries with routine proficiency.Security and management personnel — act as an oversight liaison, relaying surveillance findings clearly and promptly during an active shift.New surveillance observers — provide on-the-job guidance on observation techniques and documentation procedures during shift rotations.
proficient
Complex cheating schemes and theft methods — identify and investigate independently across table games, slots, and cash-handling areas in a full-scale casino.Surveillance system performance — conduct comprehensive inspections and ensure all audio and video equipment operates within compliance standards without supervisory direction.Multi-source evidence — synthesize video footage, database records, and firsthand observation to build complete investigative case files.Non-routine incidents involving collusion or organized fraud — apply inductive and deductive reasoning to resolve ambiguous situations autonomously.Regulatory compliance monitoring — evaluate all casino operations against current state gaming statutes and flag systemic policy gaps to management.Detailed investigative reports — author thorough written findings suitable for regulatory submission, internal review, or law enforcement referral.Critical incident response — coordinate surveillance support during high-stakes security events, providing real-time intelligence to floor security teams.Graphics and photo imaging software — enhance and annotate surveillance imagery to support evidence documentation and internal investigations.Staff observation techniques — assess and informally coach junior surveillance officers on decision-making and attention-to-detail in live monitoring contexts.Cross-departmental information sharing — present surveillance findings verbally and in writing to management, security, and compliance stakeholders with clarity and authority.
advanced
Surveillance department strategy — set operational priorities, coverage plans, and technology upgrade roadmaps aligned with casino management objectives.Formal training programs for surveillance observers — design and deliver structured curricula covering equipment use, regulatory knowledge, and investigative methods.Organizational compliance posture — lead department-wide audits to ensure all surveillance practices meet state gaming regulatory requirements and internal policy standards.Advanced surveillance technology systems — evaluate, select, and oversee implementation of new audio, video, and database platforms across the property.Investigative standards and documentation protocols — author and enforce department-wide policies for incident reporting, evidence handling, and case escalation.Interdepartmental surveillance partnerships — establish formal coordination frameworks between surveillance, security, finance, and gaming operations leadership.Staffing and performance management — supervise, evaluate, and develop a full team of surveillance officers and investigators to sustain operational excellence.High-profile regulatory investigations — lead complex, multi-week investigations involving suspected organized cheating or insider fraud, interfacing with external law enforcement agencies.Data-driven risk assessment — analyze aggregated surveillance logs and incident databases to identify emerging threat trends and recommend preventive countermeasures to executive leadership.Organizational integrity culture — model and promote the highest standards of ethical conduct, self-control, and cautiousness across the surveillance function and broader casino environment.
Also known as
30 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Armed Security OfficerCasino Enforcement AgentCasino InvestigatorCasino Security OfficerCasino Surveillance OfficerDual Rate Surveillance OfficerEMT Security Officer (Emergency Medical Technician Security Officer)Entertainment And Recreation Industry Surveillance OperatorGambling MonitorGambling Surveillance ObserverGambling Surveillance OfficerGaming InspectorGaming InvestigatorGaming Surveillance ObserverGaming Surveillance OfficerInvestigative SpecialistSecurity Bike Patrol OfficerSecurity OfficerSpecial InvestigatorSurveillance AgentSurveillance InspectorSurveillance InvestigatorSurveillance MonitorSurveillance ObserverSurveillance OfficerSurveillance OperatorSurveillance System MonitorSurveillance TechnicianVideo Surveillance AgentVideo Surveillance Technician