A dealer — also called a croupier in many markets — is the casino employee who runs a table game, handles cards or dice, manages bets, and keeps the game moving fairly and accurately. If you have ever wondered what a dealer does, how the role differs from a croupier, or what skills and training you need to become one, this guide breaks it down in plain English.

What Is a Dealer? A Simple Definition

A dealer is the person behind the table in a casino or card room. Their job is to deal cards, spin the wheel, or manage the dice for games such as blackjack, baccarat, poker, roulette, and craps. They do not play against you — they facilitate the game, enforce the house rules, and make sure every hand or spin is handled correctly.

In land-based casinos, the term dealer is most common in North America. In Europe and many Asian markets, the same role is often called a croupier. In poker rooms, a dealer may be called a poker dealer, while in live online casinos, you will see live dealers hosting games through a video stream.

What Does a Dealer Actually Do?

The daily work of a dealer is more detailed than most players realize. It combines customer service, math, rules enforcement, and strict security awareness.

Core responsibilities

• Shuffle and deal cards, spin the roulette wheel, or manage craps dice.
• Announce results clearly and confirm winning bets.
• Collect losing bets and pay winners accurately.
• Exchange chips for cash and keep the table bank organized.
• Watch for cheating, suspicious play, or rule violations.
• Keep the pace of the game steady and friendly.

What a dealer is not responsible for

A dealer does not set the odds, decide the house edge, or control whether you win. They also do not handle large cash transactions at the cage or resolve major disputes — that is usually the job of a pit boss or floor supervisor. A dealer follows procedure and reports issues upward.

Dealer vs. Croupier: What Is the Difference?

In practice, “dealer” and “croupier” mean almost the same thing. The difference is mainly regional and linguistic:

• Dealer — common in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
• Croupier — common in the UK, France, Macau, and many European casinos.