Developers expect the same scenario to be repeated when jobs are posted next year for the casinos in Columbus and Cincinnati — jobs certain to entice people from in and around Dayton.
“Particularly in this economy, these are good jobs, with good benefits,” said Bob Tenenbaum, spokesman for Penn National, developer of the casinos in Columbus and Toledo. Thousands of people applied for 500 games positions in Toledo.
There is a catch, though, for job seekers in the Miami Valley. Only 10 percent of the positions can be filled by people outside the casinos’ greater metropolitan areas, in keeping with pledges made to Ohio voters when they approved the 2009 ballot issue authorizing casinos in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.
Yet developers expect keen interest from Dayton-area folks for the nearly 400 jobs not restricted to Columbus and Cincinnati residents. Tenenbaum said some employees travel an hour or more to get to work at other Penn National properties, and he expects the same dynamic at the Columbus casino due to the promise of good benefits and salaries averaging $35,000 to $40,000 (a figure that includes senior executive pay).
“We expect significant interest from people in the Dayton area, particularly Springfield,” Tenenbaum said.
While the downturn in the economy has undoubtedly widened the candidate pool, industry experts don’t believe it will deter patronage.
“A billion dollars is leaving Ohio every year to go to surrounding states,” Kulczycki said. “We need to use those dollars to put Ohioans to work.”
Added Tenenbaum, “Last quarter was solid for our business. Also, we’ve never had casinos in the state, and there’s an awful lot of interest.” He said Columbus applicants can register at www.hollywoodcasinocolumbus.com, so they’ll be notified when the hiring process starts next summer. Some management-level jobs already have been posted for the facility expected to open late in 2012.
Construction already has commenced at the Broadway Commons site in downtown Cincinnati for the $400 million Horseshoe casino scheduled to open in spring 2013. Recruiting will begin in March (www.horseshoecincinnati.com). Dealers’ salaries will average $40,000, while cashiers will earn $12 an hour and food and beverage workers will earn $6 to $12 an hour plus tips.
The first Ohio casino scheduled to open — in March — will be the $350 million complex inside the Historic Higbee Building in downtown Cleveland. The most sought-after jobs there have been in cashiering, slot supervision, administrative assistance, food and beverage and security, according to Kulczycki. She is communications director for Rock Gaming LLC, which will operate the Cincinnati and Cleveland casinos jointly with Caesars Entertainment, the world’s largest casino company. The Ohio operation is called Rock Ohio Caesars.
“Our staff was very complimentary of the Cleveland candidates and wished they could hire more of them,” Kulczycki said. “The response tells us that a lot of people are out of work and they’re so excited for this new industry to come to the state.”
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