OXFORD — Workers are finishing up the casino for an early June opening, even as they begin an expansion of the gaming floor on the north side.

Oxford Casino spokesman Scott Smith said the addition will make the gaming floor 50 percent larger, with hundreds more slot machines and several more gaming tables. In the meantime, the original gaming floor will open soon.

The expansion “represents management’s commitment to the larger vision,” Smith said. “It’s going to create lots more fun, more slots and gaming tables.” He said the expansion is expected to open early in the fall.

Recent mailings from the casino have touted a June 5 sneak peak day, but Smith would not confirm that date. “It will be early June,” he said.

The roadside sign went up Tuesday. The 100 job openings that were unfilled for food, beverage and cashiers have been filled, and job training and orientation workshops are ongoing, Smith said. He said more than 400 people have been hired.

On Wednesday, employees loaded beer bottles and cans into the cooler behind the bar, which has a video poker machine for each stool. Hundreds of slot machines were on. The Seasons Grill restaurant, which seats more than 100, was set up and ready.

Smith said dining choices will include a “Maine classic” menu with steak, lobster, calamari and other options.

Workers from Davis Landscaping Co. of Lisbon have been hard at work, he said. The parking lot has hundreds of trees and shrubs on islands, and newly planted trees line the walkways. Davis Landscaping was another example of the casino hiring Maine people, Smith said.

He said he asked at a recent orientation for new hires from Maine to raise their hands. “Ninety-five percent of them raised their hands,” Smith said.

treaves@sunjournal.com

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