OXFORD — Workers raised the first slot machine into place Thursday morning at the Oxford Casino, where Public Relations Manager Scott Smith said work is ramping up for a June opening day.
The video-screen slot machine is one of more than 500 that will be up and running when the casino opens. Smith said hiring will begin in earnest soon for positions in security, food and beverage service and other areas.
Training for game table dealers began Monday evening, Smith said, and will continue for more than two months. Tuition is free.
The Oxford Casino held a job fair March 3 in Oxford, which included interviews and math aptitude tests. Smith said 92 potential dealers were invited from about 500 applicants to take the classes, which are being held in a space in the Oxford plaza. He said 16 other Mainers with previous casino dealing experience have been hired on as well, and some are helping teach the classes.
Classes meet daily, and at the end of the training process, students will audition for about 90 full-time and part-time dealer positions. Smith said the casino will select those who can remain accurate while displaying a friendly, engaging personality.
“It’s a very rigorous process,” Smith said.
About 1,500 people have applied online for posted casino jobs, he said, and the casino is considering holding more job fairs as the casino’s opening day nears. At this point, most of the positions filled have been in management.
Workers from local firms like Cianbro and Sargent spent the fall and winter constructing the 65,000 square-foot building. Smith said that in May, Davis Landscaping Co. of Lisbon will be planting trees and installing other exterior features before the June opening.
Smith said the casino’s primary market is a 50-mile radius from the Oxford location, which covers Lewiston-Auburn, Portland, the southern coast and much of New Hampshire. He said the casino will also work to attract customers from Boston and Canada.
He said he expects the casino will be a shot in the arm for business in the Oxford Hills area. “I see there being a really robust economic cascade,” he said.
The casino will open with slot machines and table games, but Smith said Black Bear Development still plans future expansions. “We’re committed to our larger vision.” If the casino performs well in its first years, Black Bear has planned a hotel, spa and conference center in the future.
treaves@sunjournal.com
OXFORD — Workers raised the first slot machine into place Thursday morning at the Oxford Casino, where Public Relations Manager Scott Smith said work is ramping up for a June opening.
The video-screen slot machine is one of more than 500 that will be up and running when the casino opens. Smith said hiring will begin soon in earnest for positions in security, food and beverage services, among other positions.
Training for table-game dealers began Monday evening, Smith said, and will continue for more than two months. Tuition is free.
The Oxford Casino held a job fair March 3 in Oxford, and 92 potential dealers were invited from about 500 applicants to take the classes, which are being held in a space in the Oxford plaza, Smith said. Sixteen other Mainers with casino-dealing experience have been hired, as well, and some are helping to teach the classes.
Classes meet daily, and at the end of the training process, students will audition for about 90 full-time and part-time dealer positions. Smith said the casino will select those who can be accurate while displaying a friendly, engaging personality.
“It’s a very rigorous process,” Smith said.
About 1,500 people have applied online for casino jobs, he said, and the casino is considering holding more job fairs as the casino’s opening day nears. At this point, most of the positions filled have been in management.
Smith said the casino’s primary market is a 50-mile radius from the Oxford location, which covers Lewiston-Auburn, Portland, the southern coast and much of New Hampshire. He said the casino will work to also attract customers from Boston and Canada.
He expects the casino will be a shot in the arm for businesses in the Oxford Hills area. “I see there being a really robust economic cascade,” Smith said.
-
- Oxford Casino employee Erik Franzen removes a hand truck used to move the first slot machine, background, into place Thursday morning. To watch a video of construction at the casino, visit sunjournal.com/casino032912.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.