Gambling terms, explained straight

In older French, croupier referred to a person who rode behind a rider on a horse (the croupe), later adopted for an assistant at a gaming table. In modern English, it means a casino dealer.

Casino & Table Games

Croupier

A croupier is a casino employee who runs a gambling table, handling bets, payouts, and game equipment according to the rules.

Also known as
Dealer1
Games run
Roulette, baccarat, trente et quarante2
Key duties
Take and settle wagers, distribute winnings, spin wheel in roulette, deal cards in baccarat1
Origin
French term for a rider's assistant, later applied to a gaming-table attendant1

Key points

  • A croupier manages the flow of a table game, enforcing rules and handling chips and cards.1
  • In roulette, the croupier spins the wheel and ball to determine the winning number.2
  • In baccarat, the croupier deals according to the tableau and announces the winning hand.3
  • The term is most common in European casinos; in North America, dealer is the usual title.1

What a croupier does at the table

  1. Opens the game by verifying equipment and chips, then invites players to place bets.
  2. Accepts wagers, ensuring they are within table limits and placed correctly.
  3. Conducts the game: spins the roulette wheel, deals cards, or calls the outcome.
  4. Settles bets by paying winners and collecting losing chips, following the house rules.
  5. Closes the session by counting chips, handing over to the pit manager, and resetting the table.

Croupier vs dealer

In everyday casino use, croupier and dealer are synonyms, but the nuance is regional. Croupier is the standard term in Europe and for games like roulette and baccarat, while dealer is more common in North America and for card games such as blackjack and poker.14

A croupier may also be distinguished by a broader role: in some casinos, a croupier handles the game equipment and announces results, while a separate dealer handles cards. In practice, the two titles are used interchangeably.

Common questions

What is a croupier also known as?

A croupier is also known as a dealer. In European casinos, croupier is the preferred term, while North American casinos usually say dealer.1

What is a croupier in a casino?

A croupier is a casino employee who runs a table game, such as roulette or baccarat. They handle bets, payouts, and game equipment, ensuring the game follows the rules.1

What is a croupier job?

A croupier's job is to manage a gambling table: take bets, spin the wheel or deal cards, announce results, and pay or collect chips. They also enforce table rules and maintain game pace.12

How to pronounce croupier?

Croupier is pronounced KROO-pee-ay (IPA: /ˈkruːpi.eɪ/). The stress is on the first syllable, and the final -ier sounds like -ee-ay.

Where this term is used

Not the same as

  • Croupier rake — not the same as a croupier; a rake is a commission taken by the house, not a person
  • Croupier (UK) — not a different term; it refers to the same role in the UK context
  • Croupier meaning in English — not a separate concept; it clarifies the English definition of the word
  • Croupier job meaning — not a different role; it explains the job description of a croupier
Casino games Croupier rake Explains the commission taken by the house in certain games, distinct from the croupier role. Casino games Croupier (UK) Details the specific usage and regulations for croupiers in the United Kingdom. Casino games Croupier meaning in English Clarifies the English definition and usage of the word croupier. Casino games Croupier job meaning Describes the duties and responsibilities of a croupier as a profession. Casino games Casino comps Covers complimentary rewards given to players, often managed by pit staff including croupiers. Casino games Sic bo dice game An ancient dice game sometimes run by a croupier in Asian casinos.

Sources

  1. Croupier en.wikipedia.org Provides the definition, synonym, and general duties of a croupier.
  2. Roulette en.wikipedia.org Supports the croupier's role in roulette, including spinning the wheel.
  3. Baccarat en.wikipedia.org Supports the croupier's role in baccarat, dealing and announcing.
  4. Poker dealer en.wikipedia.org Distinguishes between croupier and dealer in poker contexts.

Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.

Written and maintained by Ellis Warrender, writer and maintainer.

Last updated 28 July 2026. Spotted an error? Tell me and it gets fixed and logged on the corrections page.