Casino slot technician training
New casino sites to play real money
A college degree isn't required to work as a slot technician, you only need a high school diploma or GED. However, if you’re interested in pursuing this career, consider taking classes in electrical and mechanical repair, as they will be beneficial to you and give you an advantage. You’ll not only get the training that most casinos want you to have, but also some exposure to the types of repair problems you’ll encounter on the job. Casino slot technicians adjust, maintain and repair slot machines, video games and other gaming and gambling equipment. They may also collect money from slot machines and fill machines with the coins that users can win. They work anywhere from brick-and-mortar casinos, such as those in las vegas, to the casinos on board cruise ships. Regardless of the casino, to work as a slot technician you must meet minimum education and experience requirements.
Casino slot technician requirements
Slot technicians maintain and repair gaming machines at casinos.
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Casino slot technicians adjust, maintain and repair slot machines, video games and other gaming and gambling equipment. They may also collect money from slot machines and fill machines with the coins that users can win. They work anywhere from brick-and-mortar casinos, such as those in las vegas, to the casinos on board cruise ships. Regardless of the casino, to work as a slot technician you must meet minimum education and experience requirements.
Experience
Most casinos prefer their slot technicians to have previous gaming experience. You will also be expected to have knowledge and experience in repairing and troubleshooting electrical, mechanical or other electronic equipment, gaming or otherwise. Being able to determine if someone has tampered with a machine, or is somehow cheating on a machine, is another quality that can help you succeed. Having previous management experience will also come in handy, especially if you would like to supervise the staff at the casino where you work.
Education
A college degree isn't required to work as a slot technician; you only need a high school diploma or GED. However, if you’re interested in pursuing this career, consider taking classes in electrical and mechanical repair, as they will be beneficial to you and give you an advantage. You’ll not only get the training that most casinos want you to have, but also some exposure to the types of repair problems you’ll encounter on the job.
Skills
Since some casinos never close, you may perform some of your duties while guests are playing nearby games. Having impeccable customer service skills will serve you well, as will knowing how to resolve typical problems or requests that customers in a casino environment have. You should also be able to recognize when to notify a supervisor or manager about potential issues among guests. Further, most casinos will expect you to carry strong math skills and be able to count bills and coins quickly and accurately.
Other requirements
If you desire to work in a casino as a slot technician, be able to stand for long periods of time and lift and carry heavy items, potentially up to 50 pounds. Some casinos, like those on cruise ships, may want their slot technicians to know life-saving skills, like CPR. The casino where you work will also let you know if you must pass any state or city licensing exams specifically for casino employees. For example, the cahuilla casino in anza, california requires its slot technicians to train for and pass a title 31 exam and obtain a gaming license through the cahuilla tribal gaming agency. You will also likely need to pass a drug test.
References (2)
About the author
William henderson has been writing for newspapers, magazines and journals for more than 15 years. He served as editor of the "new england blade" and is a former contributor to "the advocate." his work has also appeared on the good men project, life by me and the huffington post.
Training for casino machine repair
Slot mechanics frequently work in atlantic city, reno and las vegas.
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If you want to earn money at a casino without ever having to gamble, then a job as a slot machine technician might just be your career soul mate. Work as a slot mechanic calls not only for an extensive knowledge of machine repairs but also for a strong background in their upkeep.
Position basics
Technicians in this field have to be well versed in the ins and outs of slot machines, whether video slots, classic three-reel machines or other types. When slot machines aren't operating properly, slot mechanics have to analyze the situation and fix the problem so that casino guests can resume playing. If a player experiences a problem with a slot machine, he can notify a casino attendant, who can then request the services of a technician, if necessary.
Necessary training
If the thought of working in casino machine repair strikes your fancy, pursue the appropriate training. College degrees usually are unnecessary. Slot machine technicians generally need to receive training through gaming programs -- specifically, ones that pertain to slots. Some community colleges offer certificate programs for the repair of slot machines. These programs often last for two or three semesters. People who pursue certification full time generally complete the programs more quickly, in two semesters. Associate degree programs in slot machine repair are also available. As with many other associate programs, they typically last for two years. Many of these programs have requirements for enrollment, such as high school degrees or geds. Apart from community colleges, some technical institutes have slot machine repair programs too. Programs offered by technical institutions often call for a certain number of training hours -- think 90 hours or so.
Subject matter
The aforementioned casino machine repair programs go deep into all that the career entails. Many different types of people join these programs, from seasoned gaming workers to bright-eyed newbies just entering the field. When experienced gaming workers go through these programs, they're looking to fine-tune and expand their knowledge and expertise, especially as technological advances emerge in gaming. Some of the diverse topics these training programs cover include electrical circuits, mathematics, microprocessors, optocouplers, gaming rules and verification of paper money. Note that slot technician licensing is generally necessary for those looking to pursue positions.
Suitable candidates
People with certain personality types often thrive in casino machine repair jobs. If you have a technical mind, you might be in this category. You also might be a good fit if logic's one of your strong suits. Aspiring slot machine technicians should be adept at working with their hands. They should be able to focus on minutiae. If you fit these criteria, casino machine repair could be your lifelong vocation. You might begin by working as an attendant on the casino floor only to advance, with time, to a leadership position, such as supervisor.
Slot machine technician school and training program overviews
Slot machine technicians can learn on the job or through independent study of manuals. However, completing a training program can help technicians keep up-to-date on new machines and become more marketable to potential employers.
Perfect school search
10 popular schools
The listings below may include sponsored content but are popular choices among our users.
Avg. Wages for related jobs
Source: bureau of labor statistics
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Select a school or program
Northern michigan university
Dunwoody college of technology
How to select a slot machine technician school
Because regulations regarding the training of slot machine technicians are rare, some technicians can learn the necessary skills on the job. However, candidates may want to complete some training in slot machine mechanics and electronics so that they may have more success competing in the job market. Employers may even require prospective technicians to attend training programs.
- Few schools offer specific slot machine programs and courses, and these training schools are typically located in a place where there are a high number of casinos.
- An associate's degree in computer information systems and computer and electronics engineering technology may be more practical for someone who does not live near a casino-related school or program as they do provide the basic training needed to work with casino-related electronic machinery and computers.
Casino gaming and repair technician certificate
Because few certificate programs are available in this field, prospective technicians should look for programs under a variety of names such as 'slot machine technician' or 'casino gaming machine repair technician,' or even 'electronic equipment technician.' the latter includes education and training in not only slot machines, but also vending and arcade game machines. Certificate programs in tech schools typically last one year and include practical training in:
- Electronics
- Electrical circuits
- Computer repair
- Computer electronics
Associate of applied science in slot repair
Many of the tech schools that offer slot-specific associate degree programs are located in las vegas. An associate degree program typically lasts two years and incorporates a mix of training divided between class lectures and hands-on labs. College general education credits are required. Training includes:
- Fabrication and soldering
- Electronics
- Slot machine technology
- Microprocessors
- Fiber optics
Associate of applied science in CIS
An associate of applied science (A.A.S.) in computer information systems (CIS) or computer and electronics engineering technology might be one of the most accessible training sources for prospective slot machine technicians who do not live in the las vegas area. Areas of study include:
- Hardware and software systems
- Electronic systems
- Routing
- Networking
- Programming concepts
10 schools with slot machine programs
If you're looking for schools with slot machine training programs, these 10 example schools have either a degree or certificate specifically for slot machine technicians or a degree or certificate in computer information systems or a related program:
| College/university | institution type |
|---|---|
| college of southern nevada | 2-year, public |
| erie community college | 2-year, public |
| sheridan technical college | 2-year, public |
| meridian community college | 2-year, public |
| atlantic cape community college | 2-year, public |
| everett community college | 2-year, public |
| iowa central community college | 2-year, public |
| kingsborough community college | 2-year, public |
| pitt community college | 2-year, public |
| north seattle college | 2-year, public |
Slot machine technician schools and training programs are rare. Students may have an easier time attending a computer information systems program that teaches skills that can be applied to a slot machine technician position.
Casino slot technician training
Do you have a shop stacked with monitors and power supplies that need to be fixed? Are you sending your items out for repair?
Are you looking for a quick and painless way to bring your slot techs up to speed on monitor and power supply repair, down to the component level?
You don’t have to be a genius to fix power supplies and LCD monitors.
No previous electronics experience required
The class assumes no previous knowledge of electronics. Class begins at 9:00 am and typically ends at around 4:00 pm daily with an hour break for lunch at noon.
The three-day class is $795.00 per person this includes all textbooks and classroom materials. Each student receives their own digital multimeter (theirs to keep) and soldering tools and supplies as well as samples of electronic components. Students will also build a component tester that will be a valuable tool for diagnosing failures in the shop. With a minimum of eight students, training can be held at your own property. Otherwise, you are invited to send your staff to any one of our regional slot tech training classes that we hold from time to time at various locations across the country. Please consult the website at slot-techs.Com for the current schedule.
There is no single trick to repair but it’s not usually too difficult once you learn a few basics. During the class we will really stress component identification and testing so you’ll learn how to find most bad parts (resistors, capacitors, transistors, etc.) yourself. This is an important part of the class. You absolutely must know what the parts are and how to test them to see if they are good or bad. Each student will receive his/her own digital multimeter (for testing components and making measurements) as part of their classroom materials package. We’ll also be building a component tester during our “hands-on” soldering lab. This device will be very useful for identifying both good and bad components.
Component removal and replacement
All this doesn’t amount to a hill of beans if you can’t remove and replace the components without butchering the printed circuit board. That’s why we spend a full day in a hands-on soldering lab. If you cannot solder properly, you are useless as an electronic technician. Worse than useless, you can cause hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of damage and/or lost revenue if you’re not careful.
The class will cover the theory of operation of power supplies and LCD monitors as it is very interesting how this stuff works. But knowing how it works and fixing it are often two different things and the name of this three-day class is repair. Do you really care how something works if all you want is to get it fixed as quickly and accurately as possible?
With that in mind, you will learn the most common failures in power supplies and LCD monitors so you can repair them quickly and easily without having to spend a lot of time troubleshooting. You will learn some tricks that will allow you to make repairs in minutes that might otherwise take an hour or more.
Day one
beginning electronics for slot machine technicians
let’s face it. When it comes to fixing slot machines, there’s a lot of stuff that you just don’t need to know. Why try to learn electronics from an engineering standpoint (the way they teach in college and technical schools) when all you need is enough electronics training to fix things?
This segment assumes that you have no previous electronics training and takes you through a simple, NO MATH look at electronic components, electronic circuits, schematic diagrams and more! Understanding electronics is easy when you learn the basics of how circuits and components operate.
Using a digital multimeter
the DMM is the single most important piece of test equipment you can use. Students learn to use the meter to make the tests and measurements necessary for fixing reel slots, video slots and other types of gaming machines.
Electronic components
all of the individual components commonly used in slot machines are introduced. Parts are covered individually. Students learn how the components function and how to test them for proper operation using the digital multimeter or other test equipment.
Diodes, transistors & other semiconductors
hands-on transistor testing lab
Semiconductor failures are not uncommon when fixing power supplies and monitors. This segment takes a look at the different types of semiconductors commonly seen in slot machines. We’ll take a look at the operation of each component, along with testing procedures to determine if the part is good or bad. Students will have ample opportunities to practice their testing skills during the hands-on transistor lab.
Good soldering technique takes practice but there are some tricks that can really help speed things along and minimize the chance of damage to the PCB. During this segment, each student will be provided with their own soldering iron, solder and desoldering supplies. This equipment will be theirs to keep. We will be assembling a kit that includes all of the electronic components we have just studied. We will also be constructing a component tester that will be a valuable tool for the slot shop.
Power supplies are at the heart of just about all electronic systems and power supply failure is common. Slot machines are certainly not immune. It is not uncommon for a slot machine to have a half dozen power supplies working together. This segment covers the theory of operation of power supplies, including linear power supplies and the switched-mode power supply (SMPS) found in LCD monitors. The emphasis is on common failures and repairs.
For a casino, LCD monitor repair is generally pretty easy thanks to their modular design, allowing us to use “swaptronics” as a diagnostic tool. This segment covers the theory of operation of LCD monitors. There will be a presentation on repair techniques including CCFL replacement with leds. Repair of inverter pcbs and A/D pcbs will also be covered.
To reserve your dates
to reserve dates for your class or for further information, contact randy fromm. The cost of training is $895 per person.
How can I become a game technician?
Research what it takes to become a game technician. Learn about the education requirements, key responsibilities, salary, and job outlook to find out if this is the right career for you. Schools offering game production degrees can also be found in these popular choices .
What is a game technician?
Game technicians spend their time in arcades, gaming centers, game companies and casinos. There they work with electronics and technology related to the game industry to fix machines. They test the performance of electronic equipment using electronic test equipment, and fix machines that are malfunctioning. They may also install new equipment. This work requires the use of soldering equipment. The table below explains the general requirements for a career as a game technician.
| Education required | high school diploma or GED |
| training required | on-the-job training |
| key responsibilities | install, repair and service amusement games; test games for working order; collect revenue from entertainment games for client |
| projected job outlook (2018-2028) | 0% little to no change (for all coin, vending and amusement machine servicers and repairers)* |
| median salary (2018) | $34,560 (for all coin, vending and amusement machine servicers and repairers)* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of labor statistics
What training do I need?
If you find work as a game technician, you may learn how to service and repair game machines on the job. However, many employers are interested in hiring game technicians who have some vocational education in addition to a high school diploma or GED. You might consider completing a certificate or associate's degree program in electronics technology or machine repair.
Some community colleges offer certificate programs specifically related to slot or casino gaming machine repair. Courses covered in such programs include electrical circuits, electronics lab, computer electronics, slot-machine system maintenance and computer applications for technicians.
What are the duties of a game technician?
As a game technician, your main responsibility is to install, repair and service arcade games, pinball machines, slot machines, jukeboxes and other types of amusement machines. You might find employment with a single arcade company or casino. Alternatively, you might work with a game service company and travel from business to business, fixing entertainment machines in need of repair.
If you work for a single entertainment venue, you might check individual games to make sure they are stocked with tickets. You could also be responsible for occasionally testing the games to make sure they remain in working order. You might even be in charge of collecting coins and money from machines at an appointed time.
What salary can I expect?
The U.S. Bureau of labor statistics (BLS) reports that coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers earned a median annual salary of $34,560 in 2018.
What is the employment outlook?
According to the BLS, the number of working game technicians was expected to have little to no change between 2018 and 2028. The technologies used in creating arcade games and slot machines have improved in the last few years, reducing the need for repair and service technicians. Game technicians who have some experience working with electronics may find it easier to find jobs in the field.
What are some related alternative careers?
Electrical engineers use many of the same techniques and tools to repair electronic equipment, like electric motors, navigation systems and communication systems. These professionals typically have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or electrical engineering technology. Electrical and electronics engineering technicians help assemble prototype electronics, fix technical problems with those prototypes and draw diagrams. These technicians are usually supervised by engineers. An associate's degree in electrical or electronics engineering technology is the basic academic requirement.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
Slot technician resume samples
The best examples from thousands of real-world resumes
Handpicked by resume experts based on rigorous standards
Tailored for various backgrounds and experience levels
Slot technicians are employed by gambling establishments and are responsible for maintaining and repairing slot machines. Resume samples for slot technician showcase duties like diagnosing technical issues, performing repairs, reporting to supervisors, preparing cost estimates, submitting repair requests, and maintaining work logs. Based on our collection of example resumes in the area, essential job skills are knowledge of slot machines, troubleshooting, teamwork, time management, recordkeeping, practical skills, and dexterity. Most slot technicians hold a high school diploma.
Find out what is the best resume for you in our ultimate resume format guide.
Lead slot technician III
Supervise 9 technicians to provide service and maintain 100% functionality for over 1700 video lottery terminals
- Maintain accountability and accuracy of over $80,000 in inventory
- Assisted with the installation of video slot terminals at MD live casino
- Coordinate projects for floor renovations, game modifications, and upgrades
- Troubleshoot machines and other gaming components accurately and repaired quickly to maintain functionality efficiency
Slot technician
Successfully perform preventative maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of slot machines, digital and neon signage in a casino with multi-million dollar annual revenue.
- Effectively work with casino management to resolve customer disputes in issues involving electronic gaming machines.
- Diagnose performance issues with TV's through preventative maintenance and root cause analysis troubleshooting.
- Responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing the 2600 casino slot machines from 15 different manufacturers.
- Reprogram CPU boards and set all AGCO regulated options on slot machines.
- Convert themes, upgrade software and move slot machines as required.
- Perform jackpot inspections as outlined by the internal control manual by verifying the slot machine has not been tampered with.
- Monitor all slot machine inventory, future projects, upgrades, new regulations and order all required parts.
Lead slot technician
Perform preventive maintenance on 1,440 slot machines in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
Casino slot technician training
"it was the most useable info that I have gotten in 7 years as a slot tech."
larry budreau
ojibwa casino in baraga, michigan
No previous knowledge of electronics is required. I can show you the easy way to fix power supplies, LCD monitors & more. It's fun and it's (mostly) easy.- randy fromm
For information about slot tech magazine's power supply/LCD monitor repair class (a three-day class) or to book on-site training at your own property, please click HERE or contact randy fromm to discuss your needs.
"hey randy! I just wanted to let you know that the LCD class was one of the most informative classes I have ever attended! It was a BLAST!! Please keep me in mind if you offer anymore classes!" Thank you, "I attended a class you held on LCD monitor repair and would like to thank you. The way you explain things in plain english is amazing. You made things so much easier to understand than I thought was possible. I've been working on these machines for about 13 years and would have never believed that it could be that easy to learn to fix this equipment. I would also like to thank you for taking the extra time to go over power supplies while there. Since the class, I've been able to fix three LCD monitors and power supplies on two other machines that I had worked on for hours with no success before. I never realized how much I time I was wasting on things that couldn't be the problem, or understood why they couldn't be the problem until attending the class." Christopher savach "you are an excellent teacher. I learned a lot from you in the class. I will be more confident on working on my in-house monitors." - paul martin |
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