Take a shot at a new Career

 

This is a unique opportunity for anyone that lives or works in Philadelphia. If you are looking for a new career or one of the many Americans that are open to getting a coronavirus vaccine but have not manage to do so, keep reading.

Rivers Casino Philadelphia is opening the gateway to both scenarios. It is no secret that Rivers is one of the best places in the region to work. The commitment to the staff and patrons is to provide a safe work environment. Hence, the coronavirus clinic.

So where do you fit in?

Rivers is hiring in several departments.

Bryan Meloy,the Food and Beverage Director, has been with Rivers for 10 years. Bryan's career has several highlights that include opening the Wild Wild West in Atlantic City and opening the Rivers Casino Sports Book. He is looking for culinary employees. He would be a great mentor to a food and beverage worker.

Sheri McQueen is a “Day One Leader” joining the Rivers Family in 2010. Sheri was chosen from a group of stellar applicants to be the Table Games Instructor for new dealer candidates. She has taught hundreds of dealers that have went on to supervisory positions with Rivers. The classes are on going and are available on the weekends. A dealer starting hourly rate is approximately 20-23 dollars an hour including tips. This may be a come up for somebody. I forgot to mention the classes are free.

Mike Mastrangelo is our H/R specialist that specializes in matching you up with the position that matches your skill set. If your background involves banking or cashiering, Mike can direct you to a casino cage position. If you have other interest,Mike will find a fit. Rivers wants you to maximize your area of expertise.

So, on Wednesday, May 26 between 2PM and 6PM, Rivers Philadelphia will have a recruiting area at our COVID vaccine clinics “Take a shot at a new Career”.  A Shot, A Career or both. Click this link to see what positions are available.

If you are 12 years old or older (between 12 -17) and are accompanied by a parent or guardian, you can be vaccinated. Free parking is available.

Here is the scheduling link for the vaccine. I look forward to seeing you!

 

Back to Sporting Events and Casino Entertainment

Last week,I went to my first sporting event in over a year. I attended the Sixers and Phoenix Suns game at the Well Fargo Center.   I was not sure what to expect but I was prepare to execise all precautions that the venue has in place. Since there was a capacity on attendance the traffic going to the game was non existent. What would normally take about 20 -24 minutes took about 15. 

Parking was easily accessible with only certain lots being utilize. Entering the facilty was similar to any other time attending a game. Everyone was wearing a mask. There is a mandatory tempature check.There were no programs that highlight the team and the opponent's game information. Seating was set up to conform with social distancing. There was no one on the row with us.  

If you plan to purchase something from the concession stands or gift shops, prepare to wait in line. There is no social distancing regarding the line. You must have a credit or debit card because all transactions are cashless. I did not see any vendors bring food or drinks to the patrons at their seats. I imagine if you were in a suite that amenity would be available. Time to avoid the restroom is during halftime and a break between quarters. 

I was told that the Phillies have a unique way of enforcing the mask on policy. They have an usher on patrol that will hold up a sign requesting that you keep your mask up if you forget or neglect to do so. While the capacity at the baseball games are larger, the precautions are still in place for you to have an enjoyable and safe expierience.

If you are planning to attend a casino for the first time since the pandemic shut hotels and gaming operations down over a year ago, expect a reduction in gaming spots. Table games that would have accomodated 6 people are now set for 4 patrons.  Casino shows are about to return soon with Dave Chappelle at Foxwood Resort in Connecticutt on June 25th. Usher will begin his residency in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace on July 16.  I would look into booking a flight now to save money. As the summer approaches, airlines will raise prices to meet the demand of more people flying domestically.

I''m looking forward to this fall when the G2E will return Oct 4th thru the 7th. I plan to arrive early and take in a show while I am in town. I will let you know who is headlining as the conference approaches. As more people are vaccinated the level of normalcy will return and the interactions will resume. Keep adhering to the CDC guildlines and we will prevail against COVID- 19.

Follow me on Twitter where I discuss #sportsbetting and #gaming entertainment.  Check out my articles in Bettors Insider and in the January edition of Igaming player. 

Gaming Forecast for the remainder of 2020

I decided to assess what I see for 3 gaming regions. The regions are Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Everything that I hypothesis is based on COVID 19 levels. The CDC has projected a rise in cases this fall. The cold and flu season is approaching and will impact the public willingness to convene in crowded venues.

I will focus on the major cities in each of the regions. Las Vegas will still be slow to move toward recovery. Airline flights are still under capacity with extremely limited international passengers. All major convention business has been scrapped for this year.  There is talk of some concerts being scheduled in show rooms. Usher is planning a residency performance in 2021 at Caesars Palace. There are tremendous deals on room rates during the week that may tempt you to fly out for a three day - two-night getaway.

Atlantic City is still one of the top ten trip destinations in the United States according to Trip Adviser.  The casinos just received a boost with the return of dine in restaurant service. Casino restaurants, like every other restaurant, must observe the many restrictions put into place including 25% percent capacity, tables spaced 6 feet apart, patrons required to wear masks while not eating or drinking. This will entice visitors to come to the shore during the months of September thru November. The price of gas is relatively low and will motivate patrons to take a drive to America’s greatest playground. I would strongly suggest having a reservation if you are dining. Atlantic City is allowing the resumption of smoking on the casino floor. This is not in the best interest of the employees and patrons at the casinos. It allows the shore to offer something that will bring in additional revenue. The risk does not appear to be worth it. 

 

 

Philly has also extended the amenities to include food. This is consistent with the casinos that are operating outside of Philadelphia County. 24-hour gaming is going to return on September 18.  The casinos have beefed up their efforts to keep the facilities clean and have maintain temperature check policy that protects the guests and the employees. An increase of deep cleaning and disinfecting the front and back of house areas is already underway. When the capacity levels are increased to accommodate more guests, the challenge the casinos will face will be staffing. If the capacity level were increased to 40-50% by October 31, that would be a treat. Lastly, Poker should be revisited and opened with a limitation on the amount of people allowed at a table. Other modifications should include no smoking, changing cards frequently and online reservations during peak times of play.

My view is this week's Monday Motivation of optimism. The gaming industry will return to profitable levels in convenience and urban markets quicker than the resort areas. All operators must find ways to create the environment that places safety first while providing an exceptional entertainment experience. The opinions expressed are my own. The creativity I shared is to inform you of what can be accomplished during difficult circumstances.

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Gaming and Wagering: When COVID is over

Nobody saw this coming. Now that we are in the midst of it, no one thought it would last this long. A world without sports. A month without March Madness! No casino dealers shouting blackjack and no slot machines ringing bells. This is what we have now.

                                             

                                             What awaits us is where I want to look.

I don't see sports returning with fans in the seats until the last quarter of 2020 at the earliest. When sports does start back the teams can play at a designated site where the environment is controlled. Only essential personnel that have been tested are present. This would work well for NBA and NHL because they are looking at a post season play. This is contingent on the virus being on the down swing by the end of May. 

NCAA football and NFL are targeting the fall because that is when their season starts. MLB should truly be the "Boys of Summer" and start in June. Only television and streaming channels are available for viewship. Revenue sharing will be part of the conversation.

The casinos and hotel business will be subject to state control as to when they can return to operation.The employees and guests would have to maintain some level of social distancing. The free flowing environment that was pre-Covid will not return in 2020. The cleanliness of the venue is paramount. Gloves and hand sanitizer should be available to all that want to utilize it. If a guest or employee exhibits a potential health concern that involves sneezing or coughing, they should be addressed. It would be better to ere on the side of caution then not say anything because we don't want to offend someone. Two or more cases of Covid once we return to our "new normal" could be detrimental to the organization where that outbreak occurred.

Lastly, a collaboration between the American Gaming Association and CDC would create a series of guidelines that each gaming and hotel organization would have to follow. 

                                                        We are all in this together!

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