10 Weird Jobs In Las Vegas That Got Banned
via Wonders / YouTube
Las Vegas has always been a city of spectacle, built on showmanship, risk, and reinvention. But beyond the glossy image of slot machines and stage shows, the city once depended on an array of behind-the-scenes jobs that were anything but ordinary. These unusual roles quietly powered the magic of the Strip, blending grit with glamour in ways that defy expectations.
Some of these jobs required more than just muscle or charmโthey demanded an uncanny ability to read people, handle pressure, and sometimes bend the rules without breaking them. Whether it was someone smoothing over a heated blackjack table or maneuvering through crowds with trays of silver dollars, each role reflected the unpredictable heartbeat of old-school Vegas.
As the city modernized and the casino business became more corporate, many of these positions were outlawed, phased out, or replaced entirely. Still, the stories behind them linger like echoes in the neon glow. Exploring these banned jobs isnโt just about nostalgiaโitโs a reminder of how far Las Vegas has come, and what it left behind on the road to reinvention.
1. Change Girls
Change girls were once a familiar sight on casino floors, lugging around metal aprons packed with coins and cash. These mobile bankers made it easier for gamblers to stay in the game without leaving their slot machines. They had to be strong, quick, and charming to keep up with the demands of a busy casino environment.
Many of these women became experts at reading peopleโknowing who tipped well, who needed help, and who to keep an eye on. Some even memorized VIP guests’ preferences and offered quiet assistance to keep the floor running smoothly. Their physical endurance and people skills made them an essential part of the Vegas ecosystem.
But by the mid-2000s, coin-operated slots were phased out in favor of ticket-in, ticket-out machines. With that shift, the need for change girls disappeared almost overnight. It was a quiet end to one of the city’s most distinctive and demanding jobs.
View this post on Instagram
2. Keno Runners
Before smartphones and digital terminals, playing Keno meant flagging down a runner. These casino employees dashed between gaming areas, restaurants, and bars collecting betting slips and returning with results. The job required speed, a strong memory, and a friendly demeanor.
Many regulars had โtheirโ runner who knew their numbers by heart and could fill out a slip without being told. The runners werenโt just employeesโthey were good-luck charms to some and walking customer service to others. In the eyes of the old-school Vegas crowd, a good runner made the game feel personal.
Eventually, technology made their skills redundant. Keno became fully automated, and players started betting through kiosks or mobile apps. The runners who once kept the game alive faded into history as casinos embraced convenience over tradition.
View this post on Instagram
3. Showroom Captains
During Las Vegasโs golden era, snagging a good seat to see Frank Sinatra or Elvis didnโt just depend on a reservationโit often depended on the showroom captain. These well-dressed gatekeepers controlled the seating arrangements, often in exchange for generous tips or casino favors.
Showroom captains had real power. They could reward regulars, flatter celebrities, or punish those who didnโt play by the unspoken rules. Their role was part customer service, part social engineer, ensuring the audience was always stacked with high rollers and happy guests.
As Vegas shows moved toward corporate ticketing systems, the captains lost their influence. By the late 1980s, computerized seating had replaced the human touch, and this once-prestigious role became obsolete in the new, polished version of the Strip.
View this post on Instagram
4. Board Persons
Before the digital age, sportsbooks depended on โboard personsโ to manually update odds and betting lines on massive chalkboards or marker boards. This wasnโt just clerical workโit required speed, focus, and a knack for multitasking in a room full of impatient bettors.
A good board person had near-perfect handwriting and could keep up with rapidly changing lines across dozens of sports. They worked in high-pressure environments where a small error could lead to serious confusion or disputes. The role demanded attention to detail and deep familiarity with sports statistics and schedules.
With the rise of digital screens and automated betting systems, there was no longer a need for someone to manually track updates. The job quietly disappeared by the early 2000s, remembered mostly by diehard sports gamblers and longtime casino staff.
View this post on Instagram
5. Cigarette Girls
Cigarette girls were more than just vendorsโthey were a walking symbol of old Vegas charm. Wearing themed costumes and carrying trays filled with cigarettes, cigars, and sometimes candy, they added flair to the casino atmosphere while boosting product sales.
But their role also extended beyond sales. They were often tasked with keeping tabs on VIPs, reporting suspicious behavior, and helping maintain the casino’s overall image. Their presence helped create a curated experience where luxury, convenience, and surveillance all blended seamlessly.
As public smoking bans and corporate oversight grew in the 1980s and ’90s, the need for cigarette girls dwindled. By the early 2000s, they had vanished from most casinos, leaving behind only memories and vintage postcards that captured their once-iconic role.
View this post on Instagram
6. Pit Boss
The pit boss was once the undisputed authority figure on the casino floor, overseeing rows of table games and ensuring everything ran smoothly. They had the final say on player disputes, dealer conduct, and whether a customer was worthy of a free room or show tickets. Their presence alone could calm down heated moments between gamblers and staff.
Beyond customer service, pit bosses acted as the first line of defense against cheating. With a keen eye and years of experience, they could spot card counters or collusion long before surveillance did. They also communicated silently with security and monitored the performance of dealers under their watch.
But with the rise of player tracking systems and strict corporate oversight in the 1990s, much of the pit bossโs discretion was removed. Todayโs version of the job is more managerial and less intuitive, a far cry from the commanding floor presence they once held.
7. Proposition Players
Proposition players, or โprops,โ were undercover professionals hired by casinos to keep poker or baccarat tables active. Playing with their own money, they earned hourly wages from the house while blending in as regular gamblers. Their goal wasnโt to win, but to create the illusion of a lively game.
Props had to be convincing, sometimes inventing entire backstories to maintain the ruse. They would lose just enough to avoid suspicion while staying competitive enough to keep games exciting. Their mere presence could attract casual players, who felt more confident joining a table that looked busy.
As gambling regulations tightened and casinos shifted to a more corporate model, the use of proposition players declined. By the early 2000s, most casinos had done away with this subtle marketing tactic, choosing transparency and compliance over covert influence.
8. Shills
Unlike proposition players, shills used the casinoโs money to gamble, acting as decoys to make empty tables look appealing. Their job was pure theaterโcreate noise, celebrate wins, and build enough momentum to attract real gamblers. All winnings were returned to the house, and shills were paid a regular salary for their performance.
Shills had to be skilled actors and experts in reading people. A well-timed cheer or dramatic win could lure curious onlookers into betting themselves. The trick was to never overdo itโtoo much excitement could seem fake, too little and no one would notice.
This kind of deception didnโt sit well with evolving gaming regulations. By the 1990s, most casinos had banned the practice, fearing legal backlash and a shift toward more ethical marketing. The shillโs stage was dismantled in favor of digital loyalty programs and flashy promotions.
View this post on Instagram
9. Boxman
The boxman was the stern guardian of the craps table, seated behind the chips and overseeing every aspect of the game. Their role was to manage the dealers, watch for mistakes, protect the bankroll, and mediate any disputes between players and staff. No serious craps game felt complete without one.
Boxmen were expected to have an encyclopedic knowledge of the rules and etiquette. They commanded respect, not just from dealers but also from players who trusted them to keep the game fair. Their presence added a layer of professionalism and order to one of the most chaotic games on the floor.
But as casinos cut costs and streamlined operations, the boxman role was deemed unnecessary. Today, many craps tables run with just a floor supervisor and dealers. What was once a position of authority and tradition has mostly vanished from the modern casino landscape.
View this post on Instagram
10. Coolers
Coolers were the casinoโs secret weapon for handling trouble without drawing attention. These employees specialized in calming down angry high-rollers, defusing emotional outbursts, and gently persuading problematic guests to take a break. They were part psychologist, part diplomat, and part mystery.
Their methods variedโsome used charm and subtle manipulation, while others relied on quiet authority. Coolers werenโt just about de-escalation; they were also used to preserve the casinoโs atmosphere of fun and control. When chaos threatened the illusion, coolers stepped in to smooth it over.
As casinos leaned more into surveillance systems and formal security protocols, the need for coolers faded. Corporate policies shifted toward transparency and hospitality training, making this once-shadowy role all but extinct. Still, their legacy remains in the whispered stories of old-school Vegas insiders.
View this post on Instagram
