Seeing the thread about Mississippi, made me think about my days as a casino dealer in various casinos in Tunica County, Mississippi.
I worked at Harrah’s for three years, Grand casino briefly, then took about a year off doing other things, Ameristar in Vicksburg, briefly at Bally’s and lastly Horseshoe Casino for over a year. I am completely out of the industry now, and doubt if I will ever return to it.
To rate:
Harrah’s Tunica (1994-1996) was a hellhole place to work, indifferent managerswho kept “dead tables” open constantly killing our income, backstabbing rules and coworkers. Made the move to Southern Belle and took off. So did everyone else except for the geezers who stayed for the insurance benefits. Their Paid Time Off (PTO) was excellent however. (NOTE: I am just talking about this Harrah’s, not all of them in general).
I worked at Grand in 1996 briefly, the only thing there at the time was that the staff could grow a beard and have long hair. Had an ugly time with the gaming commission upon opening due to the size of the joint and lack of staff. An asian American was the GM, a nice man who was over his head.
Bally’s casino looked like a barn. It was ran by people from Jersey. Worst buffet in town next to Fitzgeralds. I read now that Bally’s has 25 cent craps, which is a sign of a dying club.
Horseshoe was a good operation! Good money, lots of work. A very tiring place. At Horseshoe on most nights, one is to work 8 hour shifts with no Early Outs (EO). No hassles from management or floor people, even though there was a shell shocked Marine and a dude who looked like LBJ walking the floor on Graveyard shift. I will have to say however that the bar bands were awful there.
I have been out of the country for two years, so I am interested what is happening there. What has been built there, what are the rumors, all that kind of thing. Robinsonville has turned into a small city and I am sure that it is growing. I would like to hear from people who work at Gold Strike, Sheraton, Sams, and Hollywood also. Who is making the money? I worked there during the Clinton era when times were good, what is it like now?
SP