Warren County racino operators seek to fill jobs

Dozens filled out job applications and some job offers were made on the spot Wednesday at a hiring session held at Sinclair Community College for the new Miami Valley Gaming & Racing racino.

The $175 million racino should open on schedule in December and has already hired people for 338 of the 515 new jobs available, Jeff Nelson of Miami Valley Gaming said. Most of the positions are full time and range in pay from minimum wage with tips to six-figure management jobs.

So far, the applicants have been the best qualified of any pool of potential employees that Nelson said he has vetted during previous gaming establishment openings in Nevada, Iowa or Missouri.

Jessica Cottrill, 23, of Huber Heights was there to apply for a serving job. She’s already an Air Force veteran and has serving experience. “I thought working in a casino would be fun,” she said. “I believe I’ll make good tips.”

Tony Lee, 56, of Kettering was there, too, applying for a similar job. “I anticipate they’ll have a well-run establishment with fine dining,” he said.

The racino, which will have harness racing and video lottery terminals, but not table games, will be in Warren County on Ohio 63 near Interstate 75. It has already employed about 1,000 construction workers. The gaming facility should open sooner than expected on Dec. 12.

The racino received about 500 applications after the first job fair was held in Lebanon in July. Jobs posted at Sinclair included chefs, cooks, buffet servers, security, cocktail bar and valet help.

Job fairs for the racino continue this month:

• Sept. 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Lebanon Raceway, 665 N. Broadway St., Lebanon.

• Sept. 24 from noon to 4 p.m. at Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. 5th St., Dayton.

• Sept. 28 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Lebanon Raceway, 665 N. Broadway St., Lebanon.

Resumes can be submitted online at: miamivalleygaming.com/

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