Racinos combine the casino floor with horse racing operations — creating a unique set of career paths you cannot find anywhere else. From pari-mutuel wagering to dual-licensed gaming, here is how the industry works and what jobs it offers.
A racino is a horse racing track (or harness/greyhound facility) that has added casino-style gaming — slot machines, electronic table games, or full table games — to its entertainment mix. The term combines "racing" and "casino."
Racinos exist because of how gaming legislation evolved in many states: before full commercial casinos were legalized, lawmakers approved gaming at existing racetracks to support the horse racing industry. Many racinos grew from modest video lottery terminals to full-scale casino resorts over time.
Today, racinos like Parx Casino (PA), Churchill Downs (KY), Saratoga Casino (NY), Meadowlands (NJ), and Del Mar (CA) employ thousands of workers across racing operations, gaming floors, hospitality, and event management.
| Property | Employees |
|---|---|
Parx Casino & Racing | 2,500+ |
Churchill Downs | 2,000+ seasonal |
Saratoga Casino Hotel | 900+ |
Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment | 600+ |
Monmouth Park | 800+ seasonal |
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club | 1,200+ seasonal |
Keeneland Race Course | 500+ |
Pimlico Race Course | 400+ seasonal |
Racino employees typically need two types of credentials: a standard state gaming occupational license (for casino floor roles), and in some states, a separate horse racing occupational license for any role that involves direct racing operations. Many states have streamlined these into a combined racino permit. Requirements vary significantly — Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey all have different frameworks.
No — for casino floor roles (dealer, slot technician, cage cashier), your experience and credentials are the same as at any casino. You do not need racing knowledge. For racing operations roles (pari-mutuel clerk, racing office), knowledge of horse racing is expected, but formal experience can often be gained through on-the-job training.
Many racinos have sharp seasonal staffing patterns. A track like Saratoga or Del Mar hires 2"“3x more staff during the summer racing meet. Permanent year-round employees tend to be casino floor, management, and operations staff. Racing operations roles are often seasonal or contract. Planning for this cycle is important when considering a racino career.
A pari-mutuel clerk processes horse racing wagers — you are selling and cashing betting tickets, not managing casino chips or cash. The math and cash-handling skills overlap significantly, but the wagering system (totalizator / tote) is different from casino cage technology. Many workers cross-train in both roles at racinos that operate both functions.
This is a real risk to understand. Several racinos have petitioned to drop the racing operation entirely and operate as a full casino (the "racino-to-casino" conversion trend in Ohio and Maryland). When racing is removed, racing operations jobs disappear — but casino floor jobs remain or grow. Tracking legislative trends in your target state is important if you are in a racing-specific role.
Search open positions at racinos, horse racing properties, and casino employers nationwide.
