Commercial gaming typically experiences a series of slowdowns throughout the year. Industry analysts at CBRE have noted that for Las Vegas, July and August have always been seasonally slower, with less convention business and high heat keeping customers at home. However, this isn’t the only dip casinos face.
Commercial gaming often eases off around the holidays before picking up again intensely around the New Year. During these slower periods, day-to-day operations can inadvertently become more relaxed, with less in-house traffic sometimes translating to reduced transactional activity. Despite the slowdown, casino managers must maintain strong safeguards for their business, starting with building and maintaining a trustworthy workforce.
Seasonal reductions in activity should not lead to a lapse in hiring practices. The summer lull, for example, can mask the potential risks of a bad hire, which can have a more pronounced financial impact due to reduced revenue and tighter margins. Maintaining rigorous screening practices year-round is crucial to safeguard casino operations.
Employee Trust and Vigilance
Trust between employer and employee is a critical factor in any work environment and is essential for a successful business. However, trust is indispensable for casinos where employees handle tremendous sums of money. A concerning trend has loomed over the industry, as recent statistics have shown an increase in internal fraudulent activity. As of 2022, employees made up 25 percent of arrests, underlining casinos’ vulnerability to financial attacks, especially those initiated internally.
Several recent fraud events have highlighted the dangers of making a bad hire. A dealer, a supervisor, and a player at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh face charges after police say the casino lost more than $10,000 following an alleged theft at an electronic roulette table game. Cases like these highlight the risks casinos face and the importance of proactive screening, particularly in the high-stakes industry of commercial casinos.
Getting Ahead of Risks with Proactive Screening
Staying proactive is the first step in maintaining a solid hiring strategy. It’s standard for any gaming organization to thoroughly review a candidate’s professional background and potential criminal history. However, traditional background check processes can sometimes miss important information, leading to errors and a frustrating experience for candidates.
To avoid this, employers should proactively use a screening service that leverages automation to verify all necessary information for safeguarding a casino. For instance, casinos should ensure they have consulted the Gaming Excluded Persons List. A comprehensive background-checking service can cross-reference an applicant with lists of individuals barred from casinos, as provided by contributing states.
Additionally, proactive management involves continuous yearly monitoring, which is helpful during seasonal slow periods. Regular screenings for all employees, whether recent hires or longtime team members, help detect potential risks early. This proactive approach can prevent minor issues from escalating into significant security breaches.
Establishing strong internal controls and auditing processes is vital in early detection. These systems quickly flag discrepancies and irregularities in financial transactions or inventory management, promoting fast intervention to tackle problems before they escalate into significant losses and reputational damage.
Building Shared Responsibility
Of course, extensive screening and well-structured hiring practices are needed to protect a business, but they are only part of the equation. Establishing a team of trustworthy employees also requires building a culture that supports everyone. Hiring people with strong ethical standards helps prevent internal issues and promotes a positive workplace environment.
When employees are expected to work with dishonest colleagues, they are put in an uncomfortable position. Employees who become aware of potentially fraudulent actions face stress and difficult decisions about reporting them. These scenarios could often be avoided with more thorough and frequent screening. Fraud can also lead to higher turnover, as employees may not wish to remain in a compromised environment. By creating a sense of shared responsibility and trust, casinos can create an environment where dishonest activities are less likely to occur.
Another priority should be continuous education on the importance of integrity. Regular training programs, workshops, and reminders can reinforce the values of honesty and professionalism. All organizations should have standards for reporting suspicious behavior, and offering anonymous options allows employees to actively contribute to the casino’s security and reputation.
Maintaining Safety and Security Year-Round
Whether during peak seasons or inevitable slow periods, strong screening practices should always be a top priority for casino managers. Continuous and proactive screening contributes to commercial gaming operations’ overall safety and financial security. Utilizing advanced platforms and partnering with experts can help integrate monitoring into HR policies, establish adequate internal controls, encourage a culture of accountability, and educate employees about the importance of integrity.
By taking these steps, casinos are safeguarding their business and creating a secure and trustworthy environment where employees can thrive, business runs smoothly, and clients can enjoy safe and secure entertainment.
