As reported by: Evening Sun
The legalization of slot-machine gambling in Pennsylvania has brought promises of thousands of new casino, hotel and restaurant jobs.

But attracting so many people at one time will likely pose a challenge, officials say, and the companies that win slot licenses may have to ante up additional benefits to compete with other slots parlors and find employees willing to accept long commutes.

In the Philadelphia area alone, there could be as many as five slot-machine parlors competing for workers who can commute to a booming Atlantic City - where a major labor union is already warning of a worker shortage at casinos in the seaside town.

Three slots parlors could be within an hour of the Pocono Mountains, where tourism operators already recruit overseas for some seasonal workers.

"I think just finding people - finding qualified people who can deal with the public, finding qualified people who want to work those hours - is going to be difficult," said Robert Uguccioni, the executive director of the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau.

Because the industry relies heavily on good customer service to entice more gambling and tipping, slots operators will likely have to offer employee wages and benefits that exceed those at other tourism and hospitality businesses, those familiar with the industry say.
Article By: Evening Sun