National Gaming Academy

Train for a career in the gaming industry and travel to some of the world’s most exotic destinations.

In just five weeks, we’ll teach you the specialist skills needed to start a successful career as a croupier. You’ll learn how to deal American Roulette, Blackjack and one of the many varieties of poker as well as develop high quality customer service skills.

Alternatively, you could gain the specialist skills needed to start a successful career as a gaming machine attendant. You’ll learn all about gaming machine maintenance and fault diagnosis as well as develop high quality customer service skills.

All of the training takes place in our simulated casino environment, with expert tutors and guest speakers from industry providing a real-life learning experience that will adequately equip you for your future career.

Discover how the National Gaming Academy at B&FC can help you begin or advance your career in the gaming industry. Contact us on T 01253 504 343 or E gaming@blackpool.ac.uk.

Casino Operations and Gaming Technology programmes

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Careers

Gaming is one of the UK’s fastest growing industries, with a rising number of opportunities opening up for professionally qualified gaming staff. A career in gaming can be hugely exciting since casinos have a real buzz as well as presenting the chance to travel to some of the world’s most exotic destinations.

Employment opportunities:

Casino Croupier

The North West has a thriving gaming industry with more than 20 casinos, four of which are located in Blackpool. Through our excellent relations with the industry, students enjoy a high graduate to employment rate, many of whom we have helped to secure interviews and eventual employment with casinos locally. If you are over 21, there’s the opportunity to access exciting opportunities on board cruise ships with our long-term partner Carnival.

Gaming Machine Maintenance

With 5,000 gaming machines requiring regular servicing and maintenance, Blackpool offers excellent career opportunities in this area.

£14,000 to £18,000

Average starter salary per year

£20,000 to £25,000

Average experienced salary per year

What our staff and students say

The guidance from the tutors was excellent and they have shown me tricks, industry techniques and procedures that have made me career ready. My goal is to travel the world doing a career I love and get paid brilliantly for it.

Adrian, Level 2 Casino Games Training

The training casino is awesome and it has all the tables you need to practise American Roulette, Blackjack and Poker. Shortly after finishing my course, I was offered the job of a lifetime on the Queen Mary 2, Cunard Line.

Tommy, Level 2 Gambling Operations

Why choose B&FC?

Getting Here

With our FREE 24/7 Blackpool Transport travel pass, eligible students* get unlimited use of any Blackpool Transport bus or Tram. We also offer help with long-distance travel costs.

Personalised Learning

Your own personal progress tutor will help you to settle in, keep you informed about upcoming events and provide ongoing support and guidance. We also offer confidential counselling.

Money Matters

We offer a FREE healthy breakfast for everyone. You could also get up to £1200 worth of funding and FREE meals if you're in care or receiving certain benefits.

Learning Support

If you have a disability (including a specific learning or mental health difficulty) we will help you to access the support needed to manage your studies as independently as possible.

Food and Drink

From smoothies to sub rolls, we offer a wide range of low-cost food and drink plus a FREE healthy breakfast for everyone and FREE meals for eligible students*.

*Eligibility applies - see blackpool.ac.uk/support/funding for details

Career Planning

Our free careers service includes expert advice and resources to help with making career choices, applying to university and coaching to get you ready for employment.

Expert Tutors

Our tutors are specialists in their subjects and help you develop the skills you need to be successful. They regularly spend time in industry to keep their knowledge and experience up-to-date.

Students' Union

Our Students' Union runs a variety of clubs, societies and events, all aimed at giving you the best student experience possible. You could also get involved as a rep or elected officer.

Sports

Sports are big at B&FC and there are lots of fitness activites and College teams for you to join, facilitated through our all-weather pitch, sports hall and fitness suite-inspirations.

Work experience opportunities

We can help you secure a job with employers such as Carnival Corporation, Genting Casinos, Grosvenor Casino, Aspers Casino and Coral Island Casino and Arcade.

“Carnival Corporation Global Casino Operations has been collaborating with the National Gaming Academy at Blackpool and The Fylde College for several years and we have been very pleased with the quality of trainees we have accepted on our vessels. Likewise, the trainees have enjoyed the chance to travel, expand on their experience in the industry, and build a career. We are delighted with the positive response we receive from the NGA when we recruit and give presentations to the training classes about life on board.”
Rose Grant, Director of Casino Personnel

Carnival Corporation

Crown Leisure have been working in partnership with the NGA since its creation to deliver good quality vocational training for new and existing team members. A professional and flexible approach to creating quality content combined with an experienced team and in-depth industry knowledge makes them an ideal partner for our training needs.

Crown Leisure