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.
Also called: Casino Enforcement Agent · Gaming Investigator · Security Officer · Surveillance Agent · Surveillance Investigator · Surveillance Monitor
Median pay (national)
$43,900
$34,020–$62,360 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
10,000
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+0.3%
~1,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $62,360 versus $34,020 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $43,900 leaves roughly 42% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +0.3% from 2024 to 2034 — slower than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 1,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 34 states with released data, Massachusetts pays the most for this role (median $61,090, +39% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $21,720 — a 181% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Monitor establishment activities to ensure adherence to all state gaming regulations and company policies and procedures.
- Develop and maintain log of surveillance observations.
- Inspect and monitor audio or video surveillance equipment to ensure it is working appropriately.
- Review video surveillance footage.
- Act as oversight or security agents for management or customers.
- Observe casino or casino hotel operations for irregular activities, such as cheating or theft by employees or patrons, using audio and video equipment and one-way mirrors.
- Report all violations and suspicious behaviors to supervisors, verbally or in writing.
- Supervise or train surveillance observers.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Office software
- FileMaker Pro
- iView Systems
- Microsoft Paint
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Administrative
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management