Southland Casino offers free dealer classes in Arkansas

Rich Tesler, senior director of gaming for Southland Casino, said: “Now, as the vaccine continues to roll out, and more occupancy is permitted, casinos are beginning to open their in-house schools. Dealing is a skilled profession, which requires … hundreds of hours of training and commitment. Once successfully accomplished, it is a skill for life. Most of our dealers are homegrown within one hour of the property. … Not only have we hired successful graduates, but we also recalled and returned to work almost 100% of our dealers that were furloughed due to COVID." 

Casinos across the country, including Southland, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, have not been able to hold schools securely. Dealer school has been free since Southland added table games in 2019. According to Tesler, Southland currently has 130 table game dealers and wants to expand to 160 by this summer.

Tesler told Memphis Business Journal that, while a job offer isn’t guaranteed, hired applicants that complete the classes at Southland have an opportunity to earn up to $1,000 a week at the casino. The salary is a combination of an hourly tipped rate and a set pay for a tipped employee. The hourly rate starts at $6.25 and the average tip rate begins around $20 an hour, which puts a dealer making around $1,000 a week. Besides, those hired will receive a $500 incentive bonus after 30 days of employment.

New dealers, after 120 days of continuous employment, will receive an additional incentive bonus of $1,000. Southland also recently announced all non-tipped casino positions will now start at $15 an hour. Those positions include security, food and beverage, housekeeping, cashiering, and player services jobs.