Casino Enterprise Management

Christine Gabaldon

Player Development Manager
Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino and Cities of Gold Casino

Curiosity brought Christine Gabaldon to gaming in 2003 after 14 years of working her way up to commercial loan assistant to the vice president in the banking industry. Gabaldon was ready for a change and the Pueblo of Pojoaque Gaming Commission looked like an interesting opportunity. “I think that’s why I liked it,” Gabaldon says. “It was also a challenge, something new, something exciting.”

After learning the regulatory side of the business, Gabaldon wanted to work on the casino floor. “Seeing the casino every day, there was just something there that sparked my interest,” she says. “It just kind of drew me in.” Gabaldon took a job as casino host at the Cities of Gold in 2004.

From there she became assistant to the director of gaming and general manager, where she learned about every aspect of gaming. She’s thankful for the knowledge they shared with her. “They taught me bits and pieces here and there and how everything fits together. I had hands-on training in management, slots, table games, security, surveillance, poker, warehouse operations as well as PBX. It was a great experience.”

In 2007, Gabaldon helped open the Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino, where she then became the executive casino host and casino host/call center manager. Today she is the player development manager, responsible for casino hosts at three properties, players clubs at two properties, as well as the casino call centers and PBX for three properties.

Gabaldon believes everything happens for a reason. Clearly, the switch to gaming allowed her to build a stand-out career that her colleagues and Pueblo of Pojoaque executives felt needed to be recognized.

Pueblo of Pojoaque Gov. George Rivera says no other single person has done more to develop lasting customer relationships than Gabaldon. “I believe that is based upon her upstanding character and knowledge of the business,” he says. “She is trusted and valued by her staff, peers and her customers.”

Director of Casino Operations Michael Allgeier says Gabaldon is by far the most effective, friendly and dedicated casino host he’s worked with. He describes the impact she makes: “Christine’s upbeat and energetic personality lights up a room, spreading to those around her as they marvel at her ability to accomplish tasks and make things happen. No matter how stressful the situation, Christine is the consummate professional.”

Gabaldon says the fast-paced, constantly-changing nature of the gaming industry is what keeps her here and loving her job. “There is always something new to learn or experience.  I enjoy watching my team learn and grow on a daily basis and see them take pride in their accomplishments.” Gabaldon believes her morals, goals and work ethic set an example that’s exemplified by her team, allowing them to excel and achieve goals.

Gabaldon does say it’s challenging balancing her family life and her career. She typically works six 12-hour days a week. But she says, “If you keep focused on what is important and keep your priorities in check it just seems to work.”

Gabaldon says her son is the accomplishment she is most proud of in life. He is an adult now and has a family of his own. Gabaldon enjoys spending time with them, especially when they’re able to go fishing. “We love to go out on the boat,” she says. “We can spend all day out there. And the best part is there’s no phone service! It recharges your batteries.”

A native of northern Colorado, Gabaldon loves the outdoors and spends much of her free time fishing, skiing, boating, river rafting, hiking and camping. She also loves children and is an aunt, great-aunt or great-great-aunt to more than 190 nephews and nieces. Even with such a large family, she says they get together often and are very close.

Gabaldon says her father and numerous supervisors and managers have helped her along the way by instilling in her a good work ethic and the tools, knowledge and experience that’s allowed her to follow in their footsteps. Gabaldon is very proud of the supervisors she has had who were willing to share their knowledge with her. “They would teach me everything that they knew,” Gabaldon says, “which is very refreshing sometimes in a work environment.”

Now, she strives to have that same impact on her team members. “I feel that the more information I can give my team, the better. If they surpass me, that means I’ve done my job well.”

Knowing there is still more to learn and accomplish drives Gabaldon to improve in her personal and professional lives. She hopes to continue to excel in the gaming business and make the properties she works with ultimate entertainment destinations. “I would like my legacy to outlast my career,” Gabaldon adds. 

The biggest challenge she is facing today, along with the entire industry she says, is the economy. To face the fight for discretionary income head on, Gabaldon will often talk with guests about the benefits of an entertainment experience at the casino: “When they come to our environment, they’re surrounded by employees, friends and neighbors that they know and they’re comfortable with.”

To other women aspiring to be featured as a Great Woman of Gaming some day, Gabaldon has some advice: “Stay grounded, give 100 percent all of the time and at every opportunity learn as much as you possibly can. Something that may seem trivial at the time may prove invaluable eventually. Do not let anyone tell you that you are not capable of accomplishing any task. Prove them wrong. If you stumble, get right back up and try again. You will succeed if you set your mind to it. Never give up.” Spoken by one who has done just that quite well. SKC