PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Rivers Casino Portsmouth will be hosting five job fairs throughout Hampton Roads for the five months until September.
Mayor Shannon Glover tells News 3 reporter Leondra Head the casino is expected to bring something positive to Portsmouth - hundreds of jobs to help boost the economy.
“From an economic standpoint, these are going to be good paying jobs where folk will have an opportunity to grow in those jobs. It will be a game changer for the City of Portsmouth and our residents,” Mayor Glover said.
Not only a game changer for Portsmouth, but a game changer for the entire state of Virginia with it being the first casino in the state. The Rivers Casino is expected to open during the first quarter of 2023.
“1,200 new jobs in Portsmouth; a new taxpayer in the City of Portsmouth. Any time you get an infusion of a new industry that perhaps can bring new revenue, new people, a different aspect to what we’ve seen before, I think that’s exciting. It’s hopeful. It’s going to bring new visitors here that may have not been able to come to Portsmouth or weren’t interested in coming to Portsmouth before,” Glover said.
The Rivers Casino kicked off its hiring campaign, with many job seekers looking to become poker dealers.
“I’ve been interested in getting a job as a poker dealer, and I’ve been seeing online flyers and excited to come out today,” Kirsten Alebra, a job seeker tells News 3.
When asked how she felt about the casino coming to Portsmouth, she responded, "I’m actually really excited because we don’t have any casinos here in Virginia. It’s nice because the closer one is all the way in Maryland.”
Poker dealers have to take classes at a casino dealer school before becoming a dealer. Rivers Casino is providing the school for free.
“They said 10 weeks - 10 weeks, four days a week."
We asked one job seeker what the classes would teach them.
"Everything - craps, Blackjack, roulette. Everything,” Shawn Stacy said.
Mayor Glover says the casino is expected to bring in millions in tax revenue.
“Somewhere between $15 and 16 million annually as a revenue stream. That’s huge for the City of Portsmouth,” Glover said.
But not everyone is excited about the project. Portsmouth Vice Mayor De’Andre Barnes says he thinks the city could have done a better job.
“I believe that when we negotiate deals, we got to think of Portsmouth first. The contract says that we aspire to hire Portsmouth. We all know that doesn’t mean you’re going to hire Portsmouth,” Vice Mayor Barnes tells News 3. “At the end of the day, I know the casino’s job is to make money. My job is to look out for the city, and I’m not going to be ashamed for wanting Portsmouth to get jobs and the best opportunities.”
The first fair, focused on Table Games and Dealer School, was held Thursday, May 12 on the Portsmouth Campus of Tidewater Community College. The first session was held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the second from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
More than two dozen representatives from Rush Street Gaming, including Corby, will be on site to meet, greet and answer questions about careers in tables games. Resumes and applications will be accepted at the fair.
“We’ve developed a very thoughtful approach to filling opportunities, especially those that require training; and we’re moving quickly to ensure new team members are ready to serve our guests on day one.”
The new casino complex is slated to bring in 1,300 new permanent jobs and approximately 1,400 construction jobs to the area.
The second fair, focused on hospitality, will be held June 22, on TCC's Portsmouth Campus, with the first session being from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the second from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Those interested in positions such as food servers, bartenders and cook should attend.
“We are happy to see the progress unfolding at the Rivers Casino Portsmouth site and look forward to the vast employment opportunities this project will offer to residents in our city,” said Pamela Croom, Business Development Manager, Workforce Development, Portsmouth Economic Development.
The last three fairs will not have a specific focus and will be for all career paths.
The third will be held July 23, with the specific location and time yet to be announced. It has been stated that it will be in Norfolk.
The fourth fair will be August 20, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Sportsplex in Portsmouth
The final job fair will be held September 28, with the specific location and time yet to be announced. It has been stated that it will be in Virginia Beach.
“We love to see ‘dirt flying in Portsmouth,’ as it signals economic growth and job creation,” said Croom.
For more information on the upcoming job fairs, visit www.riverscasinoportsmouth.com.
