10 Women Rising in Gaming
Anamarie Ellis
Current company and role: Ellis Island Casino, Vice President of Operations; Marker Trax, Marketing Executive
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
First job in the gaming industry: My first job was at 14. I worked as a hostess at the restaurant inside my family’s small casino, Ellis Island, during summer break. My first true gaming position, once I turned 21, was as a casino host at Ellis Island Casino.
Did you apply for work in other industries? Do you think it was easier to find a job in gaming than other career paths?
For me, it wasn’t only choosing to work in the gaming industry, but also being a part of the family business. I held internships in hospitality throughout college, but I always knew I wanted to pursue the path I’m on.
What do you like about working in gaming?
Our whole industry is built around entertainment and providing a fun atmosphere, which I love. Every department, from the front desk to the casino cage, contributes to the overall player experience, and I love working with our team collectively to make the fun happen. I am very engaged with customer loyalty, leveraging technology to accomplish new projects and being innovative in our space.
At both Ellis Island and Marker Trax there’s also an incredibly strong sense of providing value that dictates everything we do – and I think our team members and guests see and feel that as well.
Did anything surprise you about the industry when you first started?
Before I knew about Global Gaming Women, I was surprised by how difficult it was to connect with other young professionals starting out in gaming. Getting involved with GGW has exposed me to so many amazing leaders, educational experiences, and friendships. I now sit on the membership committee and hope to help reach more women and to get them involved earlier in their gaming career.
Were you familiar with gambling before landing a job in the industry? What were your thoughts about it before starting to work in gaming? Has your impression of the industry changed at all?
Being born and raised in Las Vegas and growing up in the family business, gaming has always been a part of my life.
Overall, my thoughts are the same today as they were when I was just starting out: It’s all about listening to what guests want, and then delivering. Technology is changing the way we’re able to do that, and I’ve started to focus more than ever on how we can use tech advancements to build an even more convenient, fun, and overall better customer experience.
Can you envision making a career in the gaming industry? What are your long-term goals?
I love this industry, and I’m really looking forward to the future.
At Ellis Island, I look forward to continuing to work with my family on expanding what we have and offer on property. At Marker Trax, I hope to continue enhancing and expanding our cashless credit technology and contribute to us being a leading technology in the cashless movement.
The path ahead is an exciting new chapter, and I’m so grateful every day to be a part of it.
Read others' stories:
