10 Weird Jobs In Las Vegas That Got Banned

Las Vegas was home to some of the most bizarre occupations you’ve probably never heard of, so it wasn’t just about flashy lights and huge payouts. These roles were historically commonplace in casino life, ranging from “coolers” employed to break winning streaks to cigarette ladies who made more money than some doctors. Most have disappeared, either due to business regulations or technological advancements. Here are some of the odd, forgotten jobs that contributed to the uniqueness of vintage Vegas.

1. Change Girls
Before computerized tickets and card swipes, the sound of coins coming from the change girls filled casinos. Walking out on the casino floor, these women wore heavy metal aprons filled with cash and notes. They gave out change to slot machine gamblers, recognized VIPs by face, and even caught dishonest activity. Some carried up to thirty pounds of money throughout lengthy shifts, which made it physically taxing, but the tips were worth it. A good change girl in a high-roller area could earn more in one weekend than some professionals made in a month. But once ticket-in, ticket-out machines took over in the 2000s, their job faded fast. That iconic jingle of coins hitting metal trays? Gone—along with one of Vegas’s most memorable casino roles.

2. Keno Runners
Long before mobile apps and touchscreen betting, casinos relied on keno runners to keep the action going. These fast-moving employees dashed between guests and the keno lounge to collect bets, often racing through restaurants, bars, and even bathrooms. They had to be quick, personable, and have a great memory—many knew players’ favorite numbers by heart. Some runners covered up to 15 miles a shift, and lucky ones earned big tips from winners. Superstitious players even waited for their favorite runner before placing a bet. But as electronic keno and smartphone gaming took over in the late ’90s, the job faded out. Now, the image of a uniformed runner weaving through a packed casino with tickets in hand is just another piece of old-school Vegas history.

3. Showroom Captains
In the golden age of Vegas, getting a great seat at a show was about knowing the showroom captain. Dressed in tuxedos with the confidence of generals, these insiders controlled who sat where in casino showrooms. They memorized every seat, every angle, and every high roller’s preference. A well-placed tip could move you from the back row to a table near the stage. Their power was real—one nod could upgrade your whole night or bury you behind a pillar. Some made more in weekend tips than their monthly salary. But by the 1980s, computerized seating and corporate policies killed the hustle. Today, you pick your seat from a screen—but back then, you hoped the captain liked your handshake and, well, your cash.

4. Board Persons
Before digital screens lit up sportsbooks, casinos depended on board personnel to manually update every betting line by hand. These skilled workers stood on ladders with chalk or markers, writing out game odds, point spreads, and over/unders on huge wall-sized boards. Their penmanship had to be flawless and lightning fast, since odds could shift in a heartbeat. Some even developed their own flair, turning numbers into a visual performance. During major events like March Madness, they’d update the board hundreds of times in a single shift. They also needed to know sports inside and out—one wrong number could cost the casino thousands. By the early 2000s, digital displays took over, and the once-essential role of the board person faded into Vegas history.

5. Cigarette Girls
Once a glamorous fixture on every casino floor, cigarette girls weren’t just vendors, they were part of the show. Dressed in themed costumes to match each casino’s style, they sold cigarettes, cigars, and candy from trays strapped around their necks. But their job went beyond selling. They memorized high rollers’ favorite brands, boosted the casino’s energy in quiet areas, and even kept an eye out for cheaters as part of the security network. Their charm, memory, and mobility made them casino MVPs. The tips? Incredible—some earned more than casino executives in a weekend. But as smoking lost its shine and indoor bans rolled in, the role faded fast. By the early 2000s, cigarette girls were mostly gone, leaving behind only retro photos and vintage Vegas vibes.

6. Pit Bosses (Old-School)
Back in the day, the pit boss was the king of the casino floor. Overseeing games like blackjack and craps, they had the power to comp rooms, meals, show tickets, and even flights on the spot. With sharp instincts and steel-trap memories, they tracked player habits, spotted cheats, and knew exactly who to reward—and who to quietly send packing. A simple nod from the pit boss could turn an average visit into a VIP experience. They also worked closely with surveillance, using subtle signals to call in security when needed. But as casinos turned to computerized systems and strict corporate rules in the ’90s, the role lost its authority. Today’s pit bosses follow policy, but the old-school legends ran the floor with charisma, clout, and instinct.

7. Proposition Players (Props)
When a poker table sat empty or slow, casinos had a secret weapon—proposition players, or “props.” These were skilled gamblers paid by the house to keep games alive and make the tables look active. Unlike dealers, they used their own money and kept any winnings, but also took home a steady hourly wage. Props blended in with regular players, often posing as tourists or entrepreneurs, and helped create a lively atmosphere that drew in the real crowd. Their goal wasn’t to win big, but to keep the action moving. It was a delicate balance—play well enough to stay afloat, but not so strong you scared others away. As poker rooms went corporate and regulations tightened in the 2000s, props quietly disappeared from the scene, taking their behind-the-scenes hustle with them.

8. Shills
Shills were the undercover performers of the casino world. They were paid by the house to pose as lucky gamblers and make games look hot. Unlike proposition players, they didn’t use their own money. Everything they bet came from the casino, and any winnings went right back to the house. Their job? Create excitement, lure in real players, and make empty tables feel like jackpot central. They played roles like the honeymooner on a winning streak or the slick businessman on a roll—anything to draw a crowd. Working in teams, they used choreographed wins and exits to keep the illusion going. But as regulations got tighter in the 1980s and transparency became the norm, the use of shills faded fast. Today, they’re more legend than reality—Vegas ghosts from a sneakier, showier time.

9. Boxmen
At every craps table, the boxman used to sit front and center—calm, sharp-eyed, and in complete control. But mind you, they were more than simply chip guardians, the boxman was the final authority on payouts, rules, and game flow. They spotted cheating, corrected dealer mistakes, and kept the action smooth and fair. Usually, longtime casino veterans, these boxmen knew the game inside and out, able to track dozens of bets at once without missing a beat. Their presence reassured seasoned gamblers and kept the whole operation in check. But in the late ’90s and early 2000s, casinos started cutting costs and slowly phased them out, handing their duties over to dealers and supervisors. Today, only a handful of old-school casinos still keep a boxman at the table—a vanishing piece of craps tradition.

10. Coolers
The most mysterious—and controversial—job in old-school Vegas was the cooler. These were people allegedly hired for one reason: to kill a hot streak. While casinos deny they ever existed, former insiders tell a different story. Coolers weren’t magical bad-luck charms, but trained employees who used subtle psychological tricks to throw off winning players. They’d start awkward conversations, make distracting comments, or play poorly at the table to break a gambler’s focus. Some even “accidentally” bumped chips or slowed down the game to mess with the rhythm. Always undercover, they posed as regular guests and were paid a salary plus bonuses if their presence helped return odds to the house’s favor. As corporate policies and surveillance tech took over, coolers faded out—but the legend still lingers in whispered casino lore.