Cage Operations

Casino: Cage Operations
The casino cashier’s cage is the operational nerve center of casino operations. As a hub of activity, it
performs many vital functions on a shift-by-shift, day-by-day basis. First, the cage, together with the
vault, is responsible for the custodianship of and accountability for the casino’s bankroll. This involves
the daily care, control, and accounting for thousands, hundreds of thousands, and even millions of
dollars. After all, this is the casino industry we are talking about, with many high rollers playing for big
money.
Gaming cage persons work in a cashier booth at a casino. The cage is where the workers can be found is
a central depository for money, gaming chips and paperwork necessary to support casino play.
Cage cashiers must also handle financial transactions. A certain amount of paperwork when dealing with
daily transactions, including balancing books and invoices. Cashiers may also need to run internal checks
on gamblers who require credit or to process credit applications for new customers. They may also need
to assist with cashing in tips for fellow employees.
The paperwork consists of exchanging patrons’ chips, tickets and tokens for cash. Gaming change
persons and booth cashiers work in booths and process credit card cash advances and wire transfers and
cash checks for patrons. Cage workers and cashiers ambling chips, tokens or tickets to patrons. Cage
persons credit checks and verifies credit references for people who want to open a house credit
account. Cage cashiers are responsible for following gaming regulations and reporting taxes to the IRS.
The main job function of a casino cashier is to exchange casino chips for cash from tables like Blackjack
and Craps. The cage cashier also redeems slot coins for cash. Ticket-in ticket-out slot machines print a
bar coded voucher for cash that can be used at other slot machines and cashed out at an ATM. The bar-
code reads the ticket and cashes out the correct amount of cash.
Poker cashiers are responsible for buying-back chips as well as selling them. Cashier use true value of a
stack of chips, a rack of chips and is able to handle a cut the chips well enough to be quick and efficient.
In Poker rooms, cashiers are responsible for paying off bonuses and tournament payout. Sometimes
they cash out vouchers.
Cashiers are responsible for accepting negotiable instruments such as checks, money orders and
cashier’s check. Many casinos will only accept personal checks with an established account that has
been verified. Credit and debit card transactions are also a big part of a casino cashier’s job duties. As
with all transactions, cashiers are responsible for following US title 31 and fin Fin CEN regulations that
are taught to casino employees.
Fourthly, the cage interfaces with virtually every casino department--- for example, transmittal of key
forms to the accounting department; involvement with the hard and soft count audit teams; receiving
and issuing cashiers banks to casino revenue departments (bar banks, showroom banks, Race and Sports
Book banks, hotel front-desk banks, etc.); and working with the security department during the table
game fill and credit process.
In some casinos, the cage supports the slot department by providing slot fills, supplying change persons
with requested coins, and providing large jackpot payoffs. The cage is also charged with the
responsibility of preparing and maintaining countless forms required for sound internal control
procedures and safeguarding the casino's assets. Additionally, compliance with requirements and
procedures of the Bank Secrecy Act is a critical responsibility of casino cage personnel. However, many
casinos locate the cage toward the rear of the casino property and away from customer exits.
Still, others are 'open' cages with no protective barriers. It all depends on the environment and
management's perceived need for physical security. A small cage operation will typically offer two
customer service windows and an additional window to service casino, slot, or employee requests. The
larger the operation, the more service windows required, but keep in mind that customers do not to
stand in long lines to cash their chips. It is better to have too many operational windows and window
cage security than too few.
Casino cage operations and cashiers may not be necessary for the future as more and more casinos are
now using coinless slot machines, which has made things a lot easier. With no coins to count, things are
less likely to go wrong, fewer employees will be needed and there will less room for error. Some slot
machines print out a bar-coded voucher instead of coins or cash that can then be cashed out ATM-type
machines or at the cashier cage.
The bar-code will indicate a legitimate voucher and is read using a reader, which will reveal the amount
the player must be paid. The casino cage is one of the most important and highly functional aspects of a
casino and needs to be treated as such. It is important to be respectful and civilized to your cashier at all
times. Whenever you visit a casino, make sure to adhere to the rules of the establishment so that
everyone can have an enjoyable experience.

Cage Operations

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Casino: Cage Operations

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