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What I’m Doing for Work on the Gold Coast…

My Instagram DMs have been abuzz with the same question: “What are you doing for work on the Gold Coast?” I know I’ve been hinting at my new job without providing further details, which is a little bit of a tease. My secrecy might suggest that I’m involved in something cool and covert (it is kinda cool); my discretion has been due to discussions required with my employers about how my new role aligns (or hinders) with my past TV affiliation (or affliction) before I could tell anyone.

First day on-site

How It Came About

Last month, while scrolling through LinkedIn, I came across an intriguing ad for a Host. The industry and nature of the job piqued my interest. After a single interview, I had the job within a week, and then earlier this month, I officially started my new role as a Premium Service Host at The Star Gold Coast.

More casually, I work in the high-roller areas.

While this position offers unique opportunities and challenges, it also feels like the perfect pivot from my career in state government. I’m enjoying the transition from road law to gaming, anti-money laundering, and financial legislation. Hospitality is already a familiar industry for me, though it’s been over ten years since I worked at the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff.

Navigating My New Role

Working at a casino where photography is technically banned posed challenges during my initial training since I had yet to disclose my ‘controversial’ TV time. I honestly could not care less about the past; however, an employer may think otherwise, so I wanted to avoid:

  1. Causing trouble for myself or guests by socialising too openly.
  2. Managing drunk or unruly patrons— there’s likely to be the occasional “MAFS-related fallout.”
  3. Overlooking potential conflicts of interest by not disclosing my background fully before starting a job I could potentially love.

To this day, I still attract the occasional curious person who crosses paths with me and wonders, “I’ve seen her before; where do I know her from?” Another reason for maintaining transparency with The Star is the importance of discretion for the clientele I’ll encounter in the private gaming rooms. Fortunately, the company—especially my leaders—has been very supportive.

“All-In” On The Role

Having worked a few night shifts at the main desk, I’ve found the place to be eye-opening. Every shift is different. The psychology of entertainment, risk, and reward is something I have never considered in depth before, and now has me questioning even my own simple financial decisions.

So far, the job has been really enjoyable. My co-workers are wonderful and are like a global buffet of cultural insights, as we have people working here from all over the world. The perks at The Star are fantastic, especially compared to my years in government, where the only benefit I received was a yearly flu shot. As for the guests? They’ve all been lovely so far, some more interesting than others… it’s never a dull day!

Final Thoughts On My ‘Winning Hand’

If there’s one thing to take away from this blog, it’s that a job you might not think is the right fit could end up being the one you truly love! So why not dive in headfirst and give it a chance? You might be pleasantly surprised!

Although confidentiality agreements and filming bans prevent me from sharing too much, I can tell you this: working in the high-roller sections of a casino is an extraordinary experience. In such a vibrant environment, there’s always something unexpected that makes me go, ‘Wow’ every day.

Would you be interested in an insider’s perspective on what it’s like working in such an environment? Let me know by commenting below, and if you visit The Star, make sure to come and say ‘Hello’!


13 thoughts on “What I’m Doing for Work on the Gold Coast…

  1. Well done to you on your new job and you look amazing and so happy. Continue being happy and being the beautiful soul that you are.

  2. I would love to know more about your new role, i think it would be quite facinating how the others live and are treated in the high rollers area.

  3. Good on you Liss! Congrats on the new job. I wondered about what it would be like to work in a Casino and thinking about what I’ll do towards the end of maternity leave.. is it shift work? Are the games hard to learn?

  4. I’m very happy for you, Liss. It’s important to like your job and work place. Yours sounds very nice and interesting. And you are obviously much happier. What’s Bryce doing? Obviously minding the boys l guess. Good move for you and family. I love the Gold Coast. We used to holiday there a lot.

  5. My son and his wife have worked at Crown Melbourne for over 25 years now. He managed the first floor bars for most of that time but has now moved to surveillance, something I never thought would interest him. His wife now works in the ‘high roller’ sections so I totally understand what your days/nights are like. I’m glad you’re loving it ❤️

  6. There is a certain spark in your writing style I felt while reading this. It feels like I’m reading your smile.
    Congratulations on the new job !!!
    Would love an insiders perspective

  7. Wow congratulations. Sounds very exciting.
    I just checked out of The Star this morning. Had a lovely weekend there with my family. What a bummer I would’ve come and said hello.
    Have a wonderful Xmas with your beautiful family.

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