IN THE gaming world, queens are considered to be very lucky. While in a game of chance this sentiment might be questionable, in the reality of Montecasino's staff environment this belief has been borne out, with a new breed of female employee making their distinctive mark as Queens of Gaming.
Though a relatively young industry in South Africa, which was fairly male dominated, it is making positive strides in gender equity.
Emma Mothibi is one of Montecasino's top female gaming staffers.
She says she wanted to be a teacher, but she became enthralled with the industry and never went back to teaching.
Starting out as a dealer at Sun City, she was promoted to dealer supervisor before moving to the Sundome Casino in September 1998, where she became supervisor. In November 2000, when Montecasino opened, she was quickly promoted to pit manager, senior pit manager, assistant manager and then to privé tables manager, the position she currently holds.
What challenges did she face as a woman when she started in the industry?
"I was lucky not to face any. I stumbled on the industry by accident. I was on holiday and saw the croupiers all dressed up on their way to work. They looked fabulous. I was intrigued. I applied for a job and started my three months of training," she says.
Through determination and tenacity, she passed the training and got a job as a dealer.
"I reached management level and things really changed. I was forced to grow up overnight and to learn to master various skills. But I had a strong support system and I excelled. To thrive in this industry it is important to be a go-getter, to have a vision and live up to it. My dedication, passion and hard work enabled me to achieve my goal of becoming tables manager at Montecasino," she says.
What are the current challenges?
"As a black female manager it is sometimes difficult to interact with, or to give instructions to men, something I often find to be the case with customers. In the case of my peers I am really lucky since I don't have this problem. We are one big team who support and build each other," she says.
Mothibi adds that things have really evolved since the days when the industry was white male dominated, especially at top management level.
"There are now more opportunities for staff to grow and develop into management positions. Customers have also changed. They used to see a trip to the casino as a wild night out. Now it is part of everyday life," Mothibi says.
What would she tell women who are interested in joining the gaming industry?
"That they should maintain good health, have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to think on their feet. It is also important to take responsibility for one's own development. Through passion, commitment and honesty the rest just falls into place," Mothibi says.
How does she maintain home and work balance?
Mothibi says she strikes a balance between her personal and work life. She plans ahead to make time for her family andwork, while also ensuring that she has "me" time.
"I do not take work issues home. I leave work stress at work. Home is where I relax, laugh and have fun. I also often go to gym," Mothibi says.
She enjoys travelling and being active, "so I gym or spend time outdoors and play golf. I also love to read motivational books like Mind Power or a good fiction".
Lucky queen of gaming trade
IN THE gaming world, queens are considered to be very lucky. While in a game of chance this sentiment might be questionable, in the reality of Montecasino's staff environment this belief has been borne out, with a new breed of female employee making their distinctive mark as Queens of Gaming.
Though a relatively young industry in South Africa, which was fairly male dominated, it is making positive strides in gender equity.
Emma Mothibi is one of Montecasino's top female gaming staffers.
She says she wanted to be a teacher, but she became enthralled with the industry and never went back to teaching.
Starting out as a dealer at Sun City, she was promoted to dealer supervisor before moving to the Sundome Casino in September 1998, where she became supervisor. In November 2000, when Montecasino opened, she was quickly promoted to pit manager, senior pit manager, assistant manager and then to privé tables manager, the position she currently holds.
What challenges did she face as a woman when she started in the industry?
"I was lucky not to face any. I stumbled on the industry by accident. I was on holiday and saw the croupiers all dressed up on their way to work. They looked fabulous. I was intrigued. I applied for a job and started my three months of training," she says.
Through determination and tenacity, she passed the training and got a job as a dealer.
"I reached management level and things really changed. I was forced to grow up overnight and to learn to master various skills. But I had a strong support system and I excelled. To thrive in this industry it is important to be a go-getter, to have a vision and live up to it. My dedication, passion and hard work enabled me to achieve my goal of becoming tables manager at Montecasino," she says.
What are the current challenges?
"As a black female manager it is sometimes difficult to interact with, or to give instructions to men, something I often find to be the case with customers. In the case of my peers I am really lucky since I don't have this problem. We are one big team who support and build each other," she says.
Mothibi adds that things have really evolved since the days when the industry was white male dominated, especially at top management level.
"There are now more opportunities for staff to grow and develop into management positions. Customers have also changed. They used to see a trip to the casino as a wild night out. Now it is part of everyday life," Mothibi says.
What would she tell women who are interested in joining the gaming industry?
"That they should maintain good health, have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to think on their feet. It is also important to take responsibility for one's own development. Through passion, commitment and honesty the rest just falls into place," Mothibi says.
How does she maintain home and work balance?
Mothibi says she strikes a balance between her personal and work life. She plans ahead to make time for her family andwork, while also ensuring that she has "me" time.
"I do not take work issues home. I leave work stress at work. Home is where I relax, laugh and have fun. I also often go to gym," Mothibi says.
She enjoys travelling and being active, "so I gym or spend time outdoors and play golf. I also love to read motivational books like Mind Power or a good fiction".
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