Casino: Cage Operations - The Backbone of a Casino

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. Transactions involving currency, coin, casino checks (chips), customer markers (IOUs), safekeeping funds, and customer front money flow to and from the cage and its related vault in a continuous cycle.

Accurate recording procedures and adherence to sound internal controls are required to ensure bankroll safety and accountability. Second, the cage provides a vital communication link to the casino pit or pit areas.

Service include providing check fills and credits to table games, as requested; supplying information regarding customer credit status; providing financing tabulations of table game activities documented by the master game report form; and keeping casino supervisors advised of relevant information required for a smooth operation.

Third, the cage deals with countless customer transactions. Front-line window cashiers handle casino chip exchanges for currency; cash personal, payroll, and traveler's checks; handle customer safekeeping and 'front money' transactions; receive customer marker payment; deal with casino promotional coupons; and provide information to customers.

Fourth, 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 coin, and providing large jackpot payoffs.

Fifth, the cage is 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.

On reason for this is to minimize the chances of a successful cage robbery. A second reason for locating the cage in the rear is the psychological factor.

A customer cashing out at the window must walk the length of the casino toward the exit. The temptation of 'one last slot pull' or 'one final play at the table' can decrease the amount of money the customer takes out the front door.

A third consideration is the location of the pit or live gaming areas.

There are a number of structural possibilities for the cage facade. Some cages are protected by metal bars, others by Plexiglas or shatter-proof windows.

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 than too few.