A cage cashier is a casino employee who is in charge of handling various monetary transactions. Making change, exchanging chips for cash, cashing out electronic gambling machine vouchers, running credit checks, and performing basic bookkeeping tasks are examples of these tasks. A license is required in many areas to work as a cage cashier. Some casinos even demand that this person walk around the casino floor, cashing out various items and making change on the spot, before returning to the cage to double-check everything.
Cage cashiers work from a cashier’s stand, also known as a cage, where they perform their duties for the duration of their shift. Exchanging chips for cash and cashing out electronic gaming machine vouchers are common daily tasks. Customers’ checks may be cashed by a cashier. Because the position is heavily reliant on customer interaction, each cashier must have excellent customer service skills.
In some casinos, responsibilities may extend beyond simple cash transactions. The cage cashier may also be in charge of running credit checks on customers who want to open a line of credit with the casino or processing credit card cash advances for customers, depending on the casino. If a customer’s earnings reach a certain level, many areas require tax reporting paperwork, which a cage cashier may process for them.
A cage cashier is responsible for ensuring that all cash, credit slips, and gambling chips are accounted for and reconciled at the end of his or her shift, in addition to the standard cashier duties. If a discrepancy occurs, he or she is usually expected to assist in locating and correcting the problem. Basic bookkeeping knowledge is useful for the cashier because of these additional responsibilities.
A high school diploma is usually the only requirement for working as a cage cashier, but a few other skills may be advantageous. Strong math skills, basic bookkeeping abilities, and excellent organizational skills may make the job easier. Because a cage cashier is considered an entry-level position, and many casinos provide on-the-job training, many people interested in working in a casino may choose to start with this position to gain experience in the industry before deciding whether or not they want to stay in it.