Set to begin in Fall 2025, the new certificate and minor aim to prepare students for careers in casino and resort management by blending hospitality with real-world operational training.

University officials say the program is designed to reflect how modern casinos actually operate and where the workforce is headed.

With Michigan’s gambling industry generating more than $3 billion annually, the initiative comes as demand for skilled professionals continues to outpace supply.

Logged In and Locked On

While CMU is building talent for brick-and-mortar casinos, a different trend is playing out globally. More and more players are moving toward platforms built around speed and simplicity, where the experience feels seamless from start to payout.

Check out these international platforms offering generous bonuses, large game selections, and fast payouts that consistently land on time. As these platforms continue to redefine how games are delivered and experienced, CMU is responding by focusing on the business behind the scenes — operations, management, and the systems that keep casinos running. 

What CMU’s Program Actually Offers

The new Casino Gaming Operations program will be a joint effort between the Department of Marketing, Hospitality, and Logistics and the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services Administration.

The course lineup covers areas such as lodging operations, personal selling, and an introduction to the gaming industry, all designed to build practical skills that match the needs of today’s casino and resort job market.

And it’s not about textbook theory. This curriculum is rooted in the day-to-day realities of casino work: guest experience, operations, compliance, and the kind of soft skills that can’t be automated.

The goal is to equip students to walk into a resort, a casino, or a hospitality role with actual tools, not just a diploma.

Why This Move Matters Now

Michigan’s online casino and sports betting revenue regularly hits over $300 million a month. But despite the money flowing in, education hasn’t kept pace.

There are very few structured programs that address the gaming industry specifically, and almost none that are public and affordable.

CMU is trying to lead, with this new program building on the university’s recent push into gaming-related fields, including a Sports Analytics minor and a Certificate in Applied Game Design.

The direction is clear: they’re investing in future-forward industries, not just traditional business paths.

Gaming as a Career — Not a Gamble

In Michigan, especially in Detroit, gaming has moved from backroom entertainment to a serious industry with real economic influence. But despite its scale, casino revenue dropped by more than 18.9 percent in February compared to January, highlighting a shift in how and where people engage with gambling.

Whether it’s customer service, financial operations, or digital strategy, the job market around gaming is far more dynamic than people assume.

An industry with that kind of reach needs people who understand how different areas of service and operations come together. For students, that means access to a fast-growing industry that isn’t going anywhere.

The Line Between Physical and Digital

Even as Central Michigan focuses on land-based operations, the influence of the online space can’t be ignored. Most casinos are now hybrids, with loyalty programs that span both online and offline play, and marketing teams that run social channels as actively as they manage tables.

Recently, 11 offshore platforms were blocked by regulators, adding to the growing attention on the online side of the market.

Focusing on one side of the industry no longer reflects how it works, and CMU gets that — offering a program that blends hands-on hospitality training with the business skills needed to keep up.

What’s Next

Applications for the Casino Gaming Operations certificate and minor will open ahead of the Fall 2025 semester. Early response has been strong, especially as Michigan’s gaming sector continues to grow on both physical and digital fronts.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board is also set to meet on April 8 to review key regulatory matters tied to casino gaming, online betting, and licensing. 

Whether students end up in casinos, resorts, or digital gaming firms, this program is a direct response to what the market actually needs.