The online gambling industry continues to grow at an incredible pace, and is expected to reach $66.6 billion by 2020, according to a Research and Markets report. From online casino gaming to mobile sports betting and Live Casino play, this fast paced digital industry offers entertainment for every type of gambling taste. A quick peek at reputable employment sites shows that jobs in online gambling are aplenty and the opportunities are huge for the right people.
Online Gambling Jobs in the United Kingdom
When looking for a country that has a healthy attitude to online gambling - one which protects consumers but also makes it reasonably possible for operators to exist in the market with laws that are not too draconian - the United Kingdom is usually held up as an example. This country has an established igaming sector, with thousands of people employed at different levels.
With the UK teetering on the Brexit decision right now, it is expected that local employment opportunities could be affected. Some analysts predict that some of the big names in the business could look to depart UK soil for places such as Malta. For now, igaming operators have adopted a wait-and-see attitude and continue to hire in the field.
Malta as an Example of Growing Online Gambling Employment Opportunities
The small island-state of Malta in the Mediterranean is one of the biggest employers of online gambling staff in the world in comparison to its local population. Out of 440,000 who live on the island, 10,000 people are directly employed by the igaming industry. Salaries in this sector begin at around €2,000 in a country where the average salary is just over half of that. Malta's gambling industry, which is regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority, is a huge boost for its economy and brings in millions in taxes each year.
Microgaming and the Isle of Man
Another example of a location with growing opportunities for the online gambling sector is the Isle of Man. In the middle of 2017, the pioneering online gambling software group, Microgaming, opened up a second building on the island where it has its headquarters. Today, Microgaming employs over 231 staff members on the island.
At the time, the chief executive officer of Microgaming, Roger Raatgever said: "It's incredible to think that when we set up Microgaming on the island back in 2001, there were just six staff. Now we are a campus in the heart of Douglas, with two large offices, and best of all they are connected with a sky bridge, which was a must for me. It's an exciting chapter for Microgaming, and I'm immensely proud of what we achieved in our home."
Investing in Online Gambling Staff
Recognizing that the future of a great online gambling company in this cutthroat business depends very much on its staff, many groups take the idea of training and investing in their teams' well-being very seriously. Companies aim to hire only the best and aim to retain them for as long as possible. As such, special training is usually given so that skills can be honed for a particular job opening.
As an example, Sky Betting and Gaming recently announced the arrival of 32 new recruits from its Graduate Academy. The Leeds based online gambling group attracted graduates from all over the country, with half the intake coming from Yorkshire universities. The Graduate Academy invites students who graduate from UK universities to train in certain roles and capacities and eventually join the Sky Betting and Gaming team. Since 2015, the company has taken on board 75 people overall, and a record 4,788 applicants applied for a place in the academy.
Jobs for All Types
Creative People
If you're the creative type, you can put your talents to good use by designing eye-catching visuals found on many sites. The aim is always to keep the user engaged and creative designers are not only able to take real life gambling and bring it successfully to the virtual world, but they are also able to predict hot new trends in the gaming industry.
Technical People
Technical people will also find a place in the online gambling sector. From software developers to computer programmers, from operator engineers to system engineers, each of these has a very important place in the process of turning the imagination of artists into reality on the gaming system. Under this umbrella also fall information security experts who monitor gambling sites for potential threats.
Business sector
Online gambling and sportsbook sites rely heavily on marketing and promotion to keep them afloat. A Customer Experience Manager (CEM) is an essential part of the business, with teams dedicated to improving players' experience and making sure that they are always satisfied. Affiliates, marketing experts, account managers and more, all work together in this field.
Types of Jobs Available in Online Gambling Sector
With the online and mobile gambling industry growing at such as fast pace, it stands to reason that there a hundreds of jobs available out there. Employment sites such as BettingJobs.com show multiple openings in the sector, from Head of Mobile Development to sales positions, customer support and Head of Affiliates.
We take a look at examples of different opportunities available for those who are interested in working in this exciting and very diverse sector:
Coders:
What do coders do?
The job of a coder is to create, test and then implement the code on which a
computer application is based. As the online gambling industry moves forward and
more and more applications are app-based services, coders are in even bigger
demand. Add to that the fact that mobile features also have to be taken into
consideration, and it is easy to understand why demand for coders far outstrips
supply.
What are the requirements to become a coder?
To become a coder you need to have at least a high school diploma and a good
knowledge of coding. Even better, you should have a degree in one of the fields
relating to coding such as computer science, information technology or similar.
How much can a coder earn?
The average salary for a coder is around £65,000 a year, although this really
does depend on the company you work and the type of job you are required to do.
It is normal for entry level coders to earn £25,000 a year, while top employees
could even make seven-figure salaries.
Security Specialists
What do security specialists do?
Security specialists are essentially analysts who monitor gambling sites and
their networks for potential threats and breaches. Some of their other tasks
include implementing the online gambling site's security standards and
maintaining security systems.
What are the requirements to become a security specialist?
You must have at least in degree in internet or network security. The more
training you have had or courses you have taken, the higher you can expect your
salary to be. There is real potential for growth in this field, considering that
cybersecurity is one of the most necessary factors in any online-based business.
The security specialist field is expected to grow about 30% in the next decade,
and the best specialists are regularly scooped up by big companies.
How much does a security specialist earn?
The average salary is around £70,000 a year.
Live Dealers
What do Live Dealers do?
Many online gambling sites offer Live Casinos as another way for their players
to enjoy their gambling entertainment. Players head to these Live Casinos and
have the games streamed to their desktop computers or mobile phones. They are
then able to play the games and communicate with live dealers "on the ground". A
live dealer essentially performs all the duties of a regular dealer at a brick
and mortar casino, with the addition of having to know how to work remotely
through a webcam. Live Dealers will obviously know the rules of the game they
are acting as dealers for and will understand how to run the game and take bets.
Their added responsibility is developing a relationship with the player,
considering that the player is not physically sitting at the table.
What are the requirements to become a Live Dealer?
Live Dealers are usually recruited from dealer school, where a minimum high
school diploma is required. Joining a software company or online casino to
become a member of their Live Casino team usually requires that you undergo
training to learn their particular games and rules.
How much does a Live Dealer earn?
This is highly dependent on where the casino studio is based and the average
salary in that country. Remember, as well, that Live Dealers can't be tipped (as
in brick and mortar establishments).
Graphic Designer
What does a graphic designer do?
Those great graphics you see on your favorite online gambling site or app?
That's the product of a graphic designer. Online gaming sites know that first
impressions are really important in this competitive industry and need to design
sites that are eye-catching. Graphic designers can also find work with software
companies to help design games and other features.
What are the requirements to become a graphic designer?
At the very least, you need a degree in graphic design or a similar field. Try
and get as much experience as possible and build a portfolio as the hiring
company will want to see your work.
How much does a graphic designer make?
Expect to make an average salary of around £35,000.
Customer Service Representative
What does a customer service representative do?
This job entails being the liaison between the online gambling site and the
customer. It involves answering questions and dealing with issues via telephone,
email or live chat. Some customer service representatives deal with the
financial side of gambling or working in marketing.
What are the requirements to become a customer service representative?
At least a high school diploma is required. Knowing more than one language is a
bonus.
How much does a customer service representative expect to make?
It is highly dependent on the company you represent, although customer service
representatives are not the highest paid in the industry.
Other Hot Jobs in Online Gambling Sector
- Director of gaming platform
- Sales
- Head of casino and games
- Project manager
- Software developer
- Software engineer
- Commercial manager
- Affiliate marketing manager
- Business development
- Product manager
- Customer support
- Accounts
- Acquisition
- QA Automation engineer
- Head of VIP
- Marketing coordinator
- C++ Game Developer