sponsor

DTV Videos

Digital How-To
KOCO's John Flick explains how to set up your home TV to be ready for the digital conversion. More


Digital Questions
John Flick has some of the most frequently asked questions about DTV and HD. More


Homepage > Oklahoma City News
Sooners vs. Gators Gear
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters

Dealer School Hopes To Capitalize On Expanded Gaming

Some Tribes Say They Plan To Train Dealers In-House

POSTED: 4:13 pm CST March 8, 2005
UPDATED: 6:41 pm CST March 8, 2005

Now that Las Vegas-style games are legal at tribal casinos, at least one business was trying Tuesday to capitalize on the state's new gaming laws.

The 5 On Your Side team recently saw an advertisement promising to teach people how to deal like professionals. But taking the class doesn't necessarily mean you'll get hired at one of the state's tribal casinos, Eyewitness News 5's Terri Watkins reported.

Skip Davis, of the Aces 777 dealer school said his business will prepare people to find jobs in the rapidly growing gaming industry. He said trainers at the school are preparing to teach poker, blackjack and other games being played at most of the state's casinos.

"We offer various games ... blackjack, baccarat and the popular poker games, such as Texas Hold 'Em, 7-Card Stud and Omaha High," Davis said.

Davis said that for a fee of $770, Aces 777 will teach every aspect of just about every popular card game to the aspiring dealer.

"It will take them through beginner to advanced," he said. "Teaching that way, they can gain not only the knowledge but also have the mechanical skills to handle the chips and the cards in a proficient way."

But what the school can't teach is how to get a job in the tribal casino business.

Some tribes have said that their casinos will do their own recruiting and training, which means that a dealer school would be useless for people who want jobs at those casinos. Thunderbird Wild Wild West Casino and Lucky Star Casino told Eyewitness News 5 that they will both do their own training. Several other tribes did not return Eyewitness News 5's phone calls before 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Although some tribes have no interest in his services right now, Davis said he has received interest from several of the many tribes that have yet to implement an expanded gaming plan.

"The feedback I have gotten from the tribes I have talked to ... they want to schedule appointments with me to tour the facility," he said.

Davis said the school doesn't -- and won't -- guarantee a job but will offer job placement assistance. As for tribal interest, he said he believes there is plenty of room for his business to serve the industry.

"Some of the tribes wouldn't surprise me if they wanted to keep everything internal, but with over 30 tribes in the 80-some-odd casinos in operation, there is a lot of market out there and a lot of job opportunity in this new field," he said.

The school's sessions start on Monday. Davis did not say how many people had enrolled at the school.

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Diabetes is associated with several common skin conditions, including localized itching, bacterial and fungal infections, and more. More


If you’re starting to feel like your home needs a little warmth, try these helpful hints to make your living space just a little more cozy. More

Find out what a sputtering economy and an increasingly difficult to crack job market means to you. More

The signs of Cancer can sometimes be very subtle. Here's a guide to help you recognize them early. More

Don’t be left out. Make the switch to Digital TV.
Check out this week's PhotoVote contest, "Pigskin Parties."
Plus, navigate through our archives.
Favorites: Cute Kittens | Odd Couples | Oops
Sponsored Links

Online Degree Center

Find the Degree You Need to Succeed in your Career More


Consumer Info


Sponsored Content Provided by ARA