The gambling industry is divided into three main sectors: casino gaming, state lotteries and parimutuel wagering. Over half a million people in the United States are employed in the gambling industry. Women can find many career opportunities in this lucrative business.

Workers involved in the parimutuel wagering sector can be divided into two groups: those who are involved with the animals and those who work in the racetracks or other betting facilities. Possible careers involving animals include: jockeys, trainers, grooms, veterinarians, and hotwalkers. Year round staff at a racetrack typically includes people with business, finance and communications backgrounds. Parimutuel tellers can be unionized and make up one of the largest groups of employees at a track. Of course jobs are available in service industries as well such as food workers and maintenance employees.

Casinos offer a vast array of employment opportunities. Casinos with hotels and restaurants and entertainment offer more. On the casino floor occupations might include dealers, slot attendants, supervisors, pit managers, cocktail waitresses, security guards and floor supervisors. Behind the scene employees include food and beverage preparations workers and managers, housekeeping staff, front desk workers, bellhops, accountants, auditors, computer systems analysts and programmers, cleaning and building service workers, detectives, public relations and communications employees, and human resources staff people. If the casino offers entertainment talented people can find opportunities as a dancer, choreographer or musician for headline acts.

State lotteries are found in over 37 states and the District of Columbia. The lotteries typically do not employ as many people as the other forms of gambling. Lotteries offer positions in marketing, auditing, accounting, computer support, human resources, security, sales services, administration and communications. Sales representatives make up the largest group in this sector. They deal with the vendors that sell the lottery tickets and can maintain machines, provide updates on new games and provide promotional material.

Legal gambling in on the rise. Each year new states are legalizing gambling and bringing in casinos or slot machines. It is estimated that in Nevada employment increased in casino gaming approximately 65 percent from 1994 to the present. With the move into new states, it is easy to see the impact this could have on job availability in new areas. Most of the new employment opportunities are in the casino sector. This industry provides many excellent possibilities for women.