Casino fashion has changed dramatically over the years. Women once wore glamorous cocktail dresses, and men wore their best suits, ties and expensive shoes. Today, things are much more relaxed, especially at high street venues.
Online casinos have grown, and offices have embraced more casual clothes. As a result, many casinos have loosened their dress codes. Often, only the most exclusive casinos still insist on formal dress, with clear dos and don’ts about what to wear and how to behave. Our guide to the dress code for casinos in London shows how much venues vary today.
But while guests have relaxed, the croupier dress code has barely changed. Croupiers, also known as casino dealers, keep to high standards wherever they work in the world. The same goes for live dealer games on new UK online casino websites and apps. Many online players don’t worry about their own appearance, but the croupiers still dress formally. After all, these games aim to recreate the feel of a luxurious casino.
What Do Croupiers Wear?
A classic look for a male croupier is a white or black shirt with a bow tie and waistcoat. Many croupiers skip the jacket. Dealing for hours takes a lot of movement, so they need to stay comfortable. Going without a jacket also helps guests tell dealers apart from other people in suits.
The green eyeshade visor was once part of the look. Dealers wore it to reduce glare as they focused on the cards, cash and chips. Today, you’ll rarely see one outside themed events.
Female croupiers often wear the same shirt, waistcoat and bow tie. Some casinos also let female dealers wear a smart black dress.
Most large casinos provide uniforms, often in the brand’s own colours. Where they don’t, croupiers buy their own smart black-and-white workwear. Starting salaries are modest, so high street workwear shops are a popular choice. Luckily, the look is simple and monochrome, so there are plenty of affordable options.
Why Is the Croupier Dress Code So Smart?
Croupiers dress smartly even in relaxed casinos, and the reason is the job itself. They need to look their best, but they also need to stay comfortable through very long shifts. Like bartenders, baristas and hotel staff, croupiers work in hospitality. Their main job is to make sure guests enjoy themselves, and that includes great customer service at the table.
Croupiers also represent the casino. They are part of the overall experience.
Whatever a casino looks like, its atmosphere needs to feel special. That includes the decor, the service and the uniforms. People visit casinos to play, but also to enjoy a space unlike anywhere else. When people picture a casino, they almost always picture the dealer too. So a formal, traditional look adds to the mood and culture you can only find at a casino.
Then there’s the professional element. Players are spending their own money, so they need to trust the dealer. A scruffy dealer could seem less professional. When you hand over your chips, you want a fair game. A smart uniform helps build that trust between player and dealer.
The Croupier Dress Code in the Future
Fashion is becoming more informal around the world, even in the office. Many of today’s biggest companies are tech firms, and they’ve made hoodies and trainers normal work wear. As more professions relax their dress codes, others may follow. But will croupiers?
It seems unlikely. Casino dress codes have relaxed for guests, but the culture and atmosphere they enjoy haven’t changed. People go to casinos for something different from everyday life. And the classic image of the smartly dressed croupier remains as strong as ever.
Live casino games prove the point. Online croupiers dress just as formally as dealers in a real casino. Players want an authentic casino experience, even from home.
By dressing formally, live dealers recreate part of a real casino. It helps capture the atmosphere players know and love. And if you’re heading to a real casino yourself, read our guide on what to wear to a casino.
