INSIGHT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
performance Grosvenor Casinos
Emily Stratton, General Manager of Bury New Road, Manchester,
Grosvenor Casinos, recently won the Rising Star at the European Casino Awards. G3 interviewed
Emily on International Women’s Day about her role and career in
the gaming industry, winning the award, and what’s next for Grosvenor Casinos’ high flyer?
Stellar
Emily, your career spans 23 years in the casino operations business. How did you get involved in the industry?
My first position was as a croupier with Grosvenor Casino in Southampton in 2000. Back then I was scanning the jobs section in newspapers, saw this and responded to a the croupier recruitment advert that I thought, aged 19, sounded really exciting.
Had you ever been in the casino before that point?
Never. I'd never gambled in my life.
Did you have any preconceptions of a casino and what a croupier did?
I guess you only see casinos in films and on the TV, but when I went out to the casino it was warm, friendly, and welcoming. I remember thinking this is a great environment and somewhere I'd like to work.
Was it as exciting as you imagined?
It was a fun and happy environment, which is what I was hoping it would be.
P46 WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS
I've always been with Grosvenor Casino - from the outset until today. What's the reason? Well, it's because I genuinely feel that Grosvenor has supported me 100 per cent in my career; at every stage from being a dealer to an inspector to a game supervisor, a pit boss and now general manager.
Emily Stratton General Manager Grosvenor Casinos
At what point - now with the obvious benefit of 20/20 hindsight - did you consider your role in the gaming industry as a career, as opposed to simply a job?
After being a dealer, I was promoted to inspector, which I was enjoying and doing well. But it was the next progression that was a game changer for me. I became pit boss at Grosvenor Casino Salford in 2005 and that's when I thought, "you know what, I love this, this is going to be my career.” I could see myself staying with this for a very long time.
You've stayed with Grosvenor Casino throughout your career. Why?
I've been on maternity leave twice and I remember being encouraged to complete my grey licence while I was pregnant the first time. Getting that licence was tough and the advice was to do that before having a family, as it's easier without young children - and they were spot on! Grosvenor has supported me in everything and I've never had a reason to leave.
Was there a point at which you realised that you wanted the job as GM?
Nine years ago, I had the opportunity to join a general manager's development programme, and I remember at the time thinking I wasn’t sure if I fancied it or not. However, once the development programme kicked in and I got an appetite for it, I couldn't wait to get in the seat. When a permanent GM position came up a year later at Grosvenor Casino Huddersfield, I jumped at the chance and haven’t looked back.
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