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Casino Industry Unions & Labor Organizations

Unions represent over 70,000 casino and hotel workers across the US. Understand what they cover, what they negotiate, and how membership affects your career.

Culinary Workers Union Local 226

UNITE HERE International · Las Vegas, NV

60,000+ members

Food & beverage workers, housekeeping, hotel, and room service employees at major Strip and downtown Las Vegas casino resorts.

Properties: MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, Bellagio, Wynn, Encore, The Venetian, Resorts World, Circa, and dozens more.

Largest hospitality union local in the US
Covers 100% of major Strip casino resort employers
Strong negotiated wages, health benefits, and pension
Free job training and English language classes for members
History of major contract wins including 2023 strike action

Culinary Workers Union Local 226

UNITE HERE Local 54

UNITE HERE International · Atlantic City, NJ

10,000+ members

Hotel, casino, and food service workers across Atlantic City casino resorts.

Properties: Hard Rock Atlantic City, Borgata, Caesars, Bally's, Harrah's, Ocean Casino, Resorts, Tropicana.

Largest union in the Atlantic City casino industry
Negotiates wages, healthcare, and retirement benefits
Active in legislative advocacy for NJ casino workers
Training programs for career advancement

UNITE HERE Local 54

UAW Casino Workers

United Auto Workers (UAW) · Multi-state (MI, NV, others)

Varies by property members

Dealers, slot attendants, cage cashiers, and gaming floor staff at select casino properties.

Properties: Motor City Casino (Detroit), select Nevada and Midwest properties.

Covers dealers and gaming floor staff — less common nationally but growing
UAW backing provides significant collective bargaining resources
Focus on wage parity and scheduling protections for gaming floor roles
Active organizing at new casino openings

United Auto Workers

International Union of Security, Police and Fire Professionals

Independent · National

Varies members

Casino security officers, surveillance staff, and gaming enforcement personnel at unionized properties.

Properties: Various casino and tribal gaming properties nationwide.

Specialized union for security professionals including casino security
Negotiates wages, shift differentials, and safety protections
Relevant for security and surveillance career tracks

SPFPA — Security Union

Union vs. Non-Union Casino Jobs

Union Properties

Negotiated minimum wages with guaranteed annual increases
Employer-paid or heavily subsidized healthcare
Defined pension or retirement contributions
Scheduling protections and seniority rights
Grievance process for disciplinary actions
Union dues typically 1-2% of wages

Non-Union Properties

More flexible scheduling and shift options
Faster advancement in some roles (not seniority-locked)
No dues
Benefits vary widely by property and employer
Wages set by employer, not collective bargaining
Majority of US casino jobs fall into this category

Common Questions

Do I need to be in a union to work at a casino?

No. Most casino jobs in the US are non-union, including the majority of positions outside Las Vegas and Atlantic City. However, at unionized properties — especially on the Las Vegas Strip — many food and beverage, hotel, and housekeeping roles are covered under collective bargaining agreements.

What do union casino jobs typically pay vs. non-union?

At major Las Vegas Strip properties, union contracts generally produce higher base wages, guaranteed raises, and substantially better healthcare and pension benefits compared to comparable non-union roles at regional casinos. The tradeoff is that union dues apply (typically 1-2% of wages).

Can dealers join a union?

In most US casinos, dealers are not unionized. Las Vegas Strip dealers are notably non-union — attempts to organize have historically been resisted by operators. The UAW represents dealers at a small number of properties. Dealer wages at major properties are supplemented heavily by tips.

How do I join a casino union?

Union membership typically follows the job — when you are hired at a unionized property into a covered position, you become eligible to join. Visit the union's website to learn about membership processes and the bargaining unit at specific properties you are targeting.