Summary:
- Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia has partnered with Richard Bland College on a 12-week dealer training program.
- Classes start September 8, teaching blackjack first before moving on to other games.
- The temporary casino in Petersburg is set to open later this year, with the permanent resort expected in 2027.
Construction on the long-awaited $1.4 billion Live! Casino & Hotel resort in Petersburg, Virginia is moving forward, but the hiring push has already kicked off, with the venue openly looking for “talented, energetic individuals to work in what promises to be the most exciting gaming and entertainment experience in the region”.
While the property is still taking shape, preparations are underway to train the workforce that will eventually welcome guests to the new entertainment hub.
One of the biggest efforts involves a casino dealer school, created in partnership with Richard Bland College. Individuals who decide to join the program will receive training as future gaming floor employees. Hundreds have already enlisted, said director for table games Brian Dwaileebe.
To get prospective students up to speed, the casino will host open houses throughout the week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving curious applicants the chance to see what the program involves.
The 12-week tuition-free program solely requires a small $50 investment in a Blackjack learning kit used for home practice and will launch September 8 at Pinehill Plaza on Crater Road.
The kit includes a dealing shoe, two stacks of chips, two decks of cards, and “layout for home that they can use on a kitchen table or dining room table to practice with family”.
The first part of the course will focus heavily on blackjack, but the curriculum also includes other popular casino games. Classes are offered four days a week, with flexible time slots running in the morning, afternoon, and late evening to accommodate different schedules.
Students will need to brush up on their math skills before they begin, as each participant must pass a basic test. However, Dwaileebe noted that the course is structured to feel more like real-world training than traditional classroom learning.
It’s a very hands-on learning experience. It’s not like your traditional college course where you go and you have to read books and do homework
“A Good First Step”
Upon completion, between 150 and 175 participants will earn their dealer certificates and fill in the available job openings at the casino. Employment will be subject to the casino’s hiring guidelines and Virginia State Lottery Licensing requirements.
Pay is expected to be competitive, with an average dealer salary of around $60,000 a year, once tips are factored in, at an average of $30/hour.
For many enrollees, landing a job at the new resort will be the ultimate prize. Still, even those who don’t stay local will find their certification valuable, since it can be used at casinos across the country.
“If you are looking into entering this hospitality or casino industry, this is a good first step”, said Penny Parayo, general manager for the casino.
The temporary casino, which is expected to open later this year, will be followed by the permanent resort in 2027. Once fully operational, the venue will generate 7,500 jobs and pump close to $3 billion into the region.
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