Best Payroll Software for Casinos 2025: Top Picks and Key Features
Whether you’re running a single property or managing a network of casinos, the right payroll system is crucial for keeping employee pay accurate and legally compliant.
Payroll mistakes can be costly, especially in casino businesses, because they can result in significant financial losses, incorrect payroll taxes, and compliance risks.
Running payroll for a casino involves countless moving parts, from wage calculations for tipped employees, multiple pay rates, 24/7 shift coverage, to strict labor laws. The right payroll software can streamline these processes, saving time and reducing the risk of costly errors.
Casinos also face additional payroll considerations such as tip reporting for IRS compliance, complex shift differentials, and union contract requirements under strict gaming regulations.
What should the right payroll software do for casinos?
Functionality
Why it matters
Multiple pay rate management
Handles employees who work in different roles (e.g., dealer, cage cashier) with varying hourly rates, eliminating the need for manual adjustments
Automated wage and tip calculations
Accurately calculates wages for tipped and non-tipped casino employees, helps with IRS reporting, and reduces errors in pooled or shared tip distribution
Shift differential tracking
Applies the correct premiums for overnight, weekend, or holiday shifts, which are critical in 24/7 casino operations
Multi-state payroll support
Simplifies compliance and tax filings for casinos operating in multiple states or hiring out-of-state entertainers and event staff
Integrated time and attendance
Syncs schedules and clock-ins with payroll to prevent mismatches, unapproved overtime, or buddy punching
Custom reporting and audit report
Produces detailed reports for labor cost, tip distribution, and compliance for internal tracking and regulatory audits
Mobile access and self-service
Allows employees to update bank account details, view pay stubs, access tax forms, and see pay history on the go, reducing HR inquiries and improving payroll transparency.
Secure data handling
Protects sensitive employee and financial information to meet labor laws, IRS rules, and gaming regulation standards
Top Payroll Providers for Casinos Compared
Our Top Five Picks: Quick Summary
Platform
Best for
Why it stands out
Workforce.com
Casinos and resort properties needing integrated payroll, scheduling, and attendance
Built for shift-based, hourly teams, it syncs time tracking with payroll and handles shift differentials, payroll taxes, tips, deductions, and compliance with labor laws.
ADP Workforce Now
Large casino enterprises
Enterprise-grade payroll software with tools for tax compliance and HR
Paychex Flex
Small to mid-sized casinos needing customizable payroll and HR
Flexible payroll setups and tools for tip management and HR services
UKG Ready
Mid-sized to large casinos that need tight integration between time tracking and payroll
Tools for payroll, HR, and time tracking
Gusto
Small casinos looking for simple payroll software
Easy-to-use payroll platform with tax filing and benefits
#1 Workforce.com
Workforce.com is a cloud-based, full-service payroll platform that’s built for hourly teams, making it an ideal match for casino operations. By combining scheduling, time tracking, and payroll in one system, the platform ensures accurate pay runs and makes it easier to manage payroll taxes and compliance without extra manual work.
Casinos also benefit from Workforce.com's ability to handle complex pay rules, such as multiple job rates, shift differentials, and tip management, all while reducing the admin workload for managers and payroll teams.
Workforce.com users highlight the speed and accuracy of payroll runs. One hospitality manager noted that Workforce.com cut payroll processing time in half while eliminating errors from manual data entry, freeing the team to focus on service quality instead of admin tasks.
The platform’s reporting tools also provide actionable insights into labor costs and payroll data, which is especially valuable in a tightly regulated environment.
Here are some key features of Workforce.com that are crucial for payroll in casino operations:
All-in-one scheduling, time tracking, and payroll: Pay employees correctly for the exact hours they work and according to pay rates, shift premiums, and tips, in one system.
Multiple pay rates: Automatically apply the correct hourly rate when an employee works different roles in the same pay period.
Shift differential management: Add the right premium for overnight, weekend, or holiday shifts without manual calculation.
Automated Payroll Taxes: Handle payroll tax calculations and generate the information needed for timely filing and compliance.
Multi-state payroll support: Calculate wages, taxes, and filings for employees working in different states.
Tip allocation and reporting: Distribute pooled tips and produce reports to help meet IRS requirements.
Mobile app and access: Allow staff to view and manage their pay stubs, tax forms, and personal information from any device.
Support for union pay rules: Configure pay rules to follow wage scales, overtime rates, and benefit deductions outlined in collective bargaining agreements.
Custom reporting: Create detailed reports on labor costs, tips, and payroll data for audits and business decisions.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Casinos and resort properties with shift-based teams that need fully integrated scheduling, attendance, and payroll, along with strong compliance and reporting tools.
Pricing: Workforce.com provides quote-based pricing tailored to each business. Speak with our team to learn more.
#2 ADP Workforce Now
ADP Workforce Now is a well-established provider of payroll services and HR solutions. It’s known as a reliable choice for large casino groups because of its strong tools for benefits administration and multi-jurisdiction tax filings.
Users frequently highlight its scalability, but on the flip side, some note that its breadth of features can feel overwhelming for smaller teams, and setup may require more training compared to simpler platforms.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Large casino enterprises that need a platform for payroll processing with scalable tools for compliance and HR
Pricing (as of 2025): ADP Workforce Now is fully quote-based, with pricing depending on your organization’s size, number of pay runs, and selected modules (payroll, HR, benefits, time tracking, and more).
Note: Pricing details are based on information available as of 2025. For the most current pricing and features, please refer to ADP’s official website.
#3 Paychex Flex
Paychex Flex is a payroll solution that offers built-in tip management, multiple pay schedule handling, and compliance tools. Users often praise Paychex’s ability to customize payroll settings to fit specific rules. However, some users mention that the interface can feel dated and some advanced features may come at an extra cost.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Small to mid-sized casinos looking for a customizable payroll solution with HR tools.
Pricing (as of 2025): Paychex Flex offers Select, Pro, and Enterprise plans, all of which are quote-based. Pricing depends on business size, feature requirements, and add-ons.
Note: Pricing details are based on information available as of 2025. For the most current pricing and features, please refer to Paychex's official website.
#4 UKG Ready
UKG Ready is a payroll and HR solution with built-in time and attendance functionality. For casinos, this means reducing manual adjustments for overtime and shift premiums. Users appreciate how the platform integrates various HR functions, but some note that new users may experience a steep learning curve due to the platform's extensive features.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Mid-sized to large casinos that want a solution that combines HR and payroll, along with time and attendance capabilities.
Pricing (as of 2025): UKG Ready operates on a quote-based pricing model, with costs varying based on factors like company size, selected modules, and organizational complexity.
Note: Pricing details are based on information available as of 2025. For the most current pricing and features, please refer to UKG’s official website.
#5 Gusto
Gusto is a payroll and HR platform that’s known for its ease of use and simple design. It’s particularly appealing to smaller casinos that want straightforward payroll processing, automated tax filing, and employee self-service tools.
Users praise Gusto’s intuitive interface and tax compliance tools. However, some note that it may lack the advanced features for highly complex operations.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Small to mid-sized casinos and other small businesses that need a simple, user-friendly payroll solution
Pricing (as of 2025):
Note: Pricing details are based on information available as of 2025. For the most current pricing and features, please refer to Gusto’s official website.
Other Notable Options
These platforms didn’t make the top shortlist, but they’re still worth considering depending on your business needs.
Dayforce
Best for: Large casino operations needing advanced payroll and compliance tools
Why consider it: A full-suite HCM and payroll platform designed for complex, large-scale payroll needs
Pros: Handles multi-jurisdiction payroll and integrated HR functions
Cons: Can be expensive and challenging to implement for smaller casino operations
OnPay
Best for: Small to mid-sized casinos wanting a straightforward payroll solution
Why consider it: Straightforward pricing with support for multiple pay rates and tipped employees
Pros: Simple interface and good payroll basics
Cons: Lacks built-in scheduling and time tracking features
QuickBooks Payroll
Best for: Casinos already using QuickBooks accounting software
Why consider it: Seamless integration with QuickBooks financial tools for bookkeeping
Pros: Employee self-service, tax updates, and scalability within the QuickBooks ecosystem
Cons: Customization may be limited, which is not ideal for more complex payroll requirements
What are the common payroll pain points for casinos?
Casinos operate under certain conditions that make payroll complex. Here are some of the biggest challenges casino business owners face:
Multiple pay rates: Many casino employers work in more than one role (e.g., a dealer who also fills shifts as a cage cashier), which means payroll must apply different hourly rates correctly within a single pay period.
Shift differentials: Casinos operate 24/7, so overnight, weekend, and holiday premiums must be tracked and applied automatically to avoid underpayment or compliance issues.
Tipped employee reporting: Dealers, cocktail servers, and valets earn much of their income from tips. Payroll software must calculate wages alongside tips, ensure accurate allocation, and provide reporting tools that help casinos stay compliant with IRS Form 8027 requirements.
High turnover and seasonal staffing: Constant onboarding of new hires and offboarding of short-term staff make payroll, benefits, and tax documentation more complicated.
Mix of employment types: Casinos employ a mix of tipped, hourly, salaried, and seasonal workers. Without automation, calculating pay across such diverse employee groups is time-consuming and error-prone.
Multi-state compliance: A casino group with properties in Nevada and New Jersey can’t run payroll the same way everywhere. Each state has different tax rules and labor laws, and payroll must keep up.
Union agreements: Certain casino roles, such as dealers and security officers, may be covered by collective bargaining agreements. Wage progressions, overtime terms, and benefit deductions must be applied exactly as the contracts stipulate. Without the right system, it’s hard to stay on top of these rules.
Disconnected systems: Many casinos rely on separate platforms for scheduling, time tracking, HR, and payroll. This lack of integration creates more manual data entry, increases the risk of errors, and makes it harder to generate accurate payroll reports for audits.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the right payroll system for your casino
Choosing the right payroll software for a casino is about finding a system that can keep up with the complexities of a 24/7 gaming operation. It should save hours of administrative work while reducing costly errors and risks.
For most casinos, that means looking beyond generic payroll tools and choosing a solution built with shift-based, hourly workforces in mind.
That’s where Workforce.com stands out. By bringing scheduling, time tracking, and payroll in an all-in-one system, it ensures employees are paid accurately every time. For casinos that want to streamline everything from hiring to payroll management, Workforce.com is the clear choice.
Discover why casinos choose Workforce.com to streamline payroll, scheduling, and time tracking in one system. Book a demo to see it in action.