In the gambling industry, a pit manager, also known as a pit boss, is a supervisory position. A pit boss’s job is to supervise the activity of a casino pit, which is the name given to the section of a casino dedicated to table games like craps, roulette, and poker. A pit boss is in charge of all employees in a given pit, including dealers, game supervisors, and other maintenance personnel, and is responsible for the smooth operation of the games played there.
The majority of casinos have pits with six to twelve tables in each. Small casinos may only have one pit, whereas larger venues may have a dozen or more pits, each with its own pit boss. Pit bosses must be knowledgeable about their jurisdiction’s gaming laws and ensure that their pit remains in compliance at all times, in addition to being available to resolve minor issues that arise during the course of a shift. This could include keeping an eye on cases of suspected cheating, underage gambling, or people who gamble while inebriated.
A pit boss has the authority to offer customer relations perks such as free drinks, meals, gambling credits, and other complimentary items, in addition to regulatory responsibilities. A pit manager’s responsibilities may include managing payroll, conducting training sessions, and scheduling shifts, in addition to maintaining a positive environment for both customers and employees. A pit boss must be specially licensed by the local or regional gaming authority in most jurisdictions, and must therefore pass a variety of background checks and character assessments. A convicted felon may not be eligible for a gaming license in many areas, making him or her ineligible to work as a pit manager.
It’s not uncommon for a casino employee’s career path to take them from dealer to game supervisor to pit manager and beyond. Pit boss is a mid-level position, and the requirement for a thorough understanding of the games in the pit makes prior experience working with a variety of games a strong plus. Pit managers have a guaranteed salary, unlike dealers, who rely heavily on tips from players. This level of financial freedom is intended to encourage more varied interactions between bosses and players, as well as greater neutrality when resolving player disputes.