In early January this year, in preparation for the September opening of its $960 million casino and entertainment complex in Springfield, MGM Resorts International announced that on Feb. 26, classes would begin at the Massachusetts Casino Career Training Institute (MCCTI) for individuals interested in obtaining work as professional card dealers. According to a report from New England Public Radio, the Las Vegas-based company whose fourth-quarter revenues last year grew by 12.4% year-on-year to $1.53 billion is now looking to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to help shoulder the cost of training Springfield-area residents to work as dealers in the soon to be opened casino resort.
According to the report, it’s possible that the $400 course fee is cost-prohibitive for those interested in learning how to run table games like roulette and blackjack. MGM has reportedly indicated that upwards of 1,000 Springfield residents will be added to its employment rolls when its 850,000 square foot resort casino complex debuts in the third quarter.
Located at 95 State Street in an MGM-owned building, MGM’s dealer school is a collaboration between MGM, Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and Holyoke Community 7BALL CC College. Fees for the training courses range from upwards of $199 to as much as $599 for four week and 10-week courses for positions such as mini-baccarat and craps respectively, according to earlier reports.
MGM’s general manager, Alex Dixon, said that approximately 100 students have enrolled so far, but that the course fee of $400 course may be keeping others who are interested in signing up from doing so.
“To be completely transparent, we need to find more people who are interested in this career, and to remove every barrier we can, to make sure that folks in the city of Springfield see it as a viable way to pursue that next step,” said Dixon.
According to the media outlet, $60,000 in scholarships were approved by the Gaming Commission for dealer training.
MGM has reportedly promised that students who pay for dealer training on their own and who are hired and complete one year of employment at the casino will be fully reimbursed for their tuition to the school.