Officials at West Virginia's racetracks are getting in gear to train what could be as many as 2,000 new casino-style table games employees.
And just in the nick of time: the state Senate late Monday on a 19-14 vote moved a tables games bill to the House of Delegates. It would legalize roulette, craps, poker and other table games at the four tracks if residents of the respective counties later approve local referenda.
"It's exactly what I expected," said Sen. Andy McKenzie, R-Ohio, and a lead sponsor of the bill. McKenzie also has said the legislation has an "excellent" chance of passage in the House.
But tracks officials, anticipating a chance to expand gambling, already have been planning how to prepare dealers and other new workers on the intricacies of shuffling cards expertly, counting money quickly and smiling warmly.
The 2,000 potential employees are how many people officials have estimated would be put to work. Each of the state's four tracks would employ about 500 people, according to estimates. Those numbers could change, depending on how much the state takes of the profits.
"We need to hire a lot of people," said Geoff Andres, president and general manager of Wheeling Island Racetrack & Gaming Center. "They do need special training."
Andres said he would train in-house the 300 to 500 table games workers who will make between $30,000 and $35,000 a year with tips.
"I've found it's best to actually conduct training ourselves," said Andres, who has worked as a dealer in Las Vegas and other gambling meccas. "We have a handful of people with table games experience. We have procedures and policies.
We'll select friendly, happy people."
Wheeling Island intends to spend $5 million on casino equipment such as felts, chairs, tables, dice and card storage areas, computers, uniforms, chips, paddles, trays, drop boxes and more, Andres said.
But he's not "counting chickens until they hatch." The legislation must get through the House and then be ratified by citizens of Ohio County.
Gov. Joe Manchin has said he would sign a table games bill.
Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort is collaborating with West Virginia Northern Community College to educate new employees, said Mike Koon, vice president and dean of economic and workforce development.
"We have to move a little bit and not wait for a referendum," Koon said. "We have to have things ready to go."
If Hancock County residents approve the referendum, instructors would set up gaming equipment in Newell, seven miles from the racetrack, at the old Jefferson School.
Mountaineer recently bought it at auction for $10,000 to use for instruction and some administrative offices, said track spokeswoman Tamara Pettit.
"After the referendum, we're not sure how long it will take to get up and running," Pettit said. "It would be the college's program. We'll move as expeditiously as we can."
Beyond dealing, instruction would include surveillance, security, cashier operations and other skills.
Koon said the college is working with AtlanticCape Community College in New Jersey, which has providing gambling schooling through its Casino Career Institute in Atlantic City for more than 25 years.
West Virginia State Community and Technical College currently is considering casino training for potential new employees at Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center, said Linda Nielson.
However, John Fenimore, an official for Penn National, owner of Charles Town Races & Slots in Jefferson County, said it's a bit premature to "reach out to anyone in a formal fashion."
"We're looking at a timeline of several months, even if all goes well," Fenimore said. "We'll certainly have a need to develop talent."
It's part of the colleges' mission to respond quickly to workforce training needs, said Nelson Robinson, chairman of the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education.
"In council meetings, we've encouraged colleges to work with tracks," he said. "We are starving for training in the hospitality industry."