A croupier, also known as a dealer, is an employee of a gambling casino who collects and pays bets and assists at the gaming tables. They are responsible for the conduct of the game, especially in the distribution of bets and payouts. The word "croupier" originally meant one who stood behind a gambler, with extra reserves of cash to back him up during a gambling session. The word derived from croupe (the rump of a horse) and was by way of analogy to one who rode behind on horseback.

Croupiers are typically employed by casinos and are required to apply for a gambling license in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. This license includes police background checks and credit rating checks to help determine if they are eligible to commence employment.

Select colleges and non-collegiate third-level educational institutions now offer croupier training courses, formally dubbed Casino Operations Training, which is a milestone achievement for the legitimization of poker in the mainstream.

Croupiers are not permitted to deal at a casino until being issued this license. As is common with customer service staff in the United States, croupiers there depend on tips to make their wage worthwhile. While a croupier should theoretically have no personal interest in the outcome of the game, a successful player customarily tips the croupier, especially in American casinos. Tips are often pooled and divided.

In summary, a croupier is an employee of a gambling casino who collects and pays bets and assists at the gaming tables. They are responsible for the conduct of the game, especially in the distribution of bets and payouts. Croupiers are typically employed by casinos and are required to apply for a gambling license in some countries. They depend on tips to make their wage worthwhile, and their tips are often pooled and divided.