Lawmakers question casino employment, tactics

Gina Holland

Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000 | 12:33 p.m.

JACKSON, Miss. - Mississippi lawmakers are pleased with the burgeoning tax collections from casinos, but they are concerned that the gambling boats are not employing enough local residents as managers.

For years legislators have been at odds over allowing community colleges and universities to train managers for the casinos.

Gaming Commission executive director Chuck Patton said tracking employment at the state's 29 casinos is difficult because workers usually do not specify their original hometowns. The casinos have more than 38,600 workers.

Rep. Diane Peranich, D-DeLisle, said the "gypsy mentality" of casinos is hurting Mississippians. She said people from big gaming states Nevada and New Jersey are being brought in for the top jobs.

"Mississippians are having a tough time breaking through that log jam of good ole boyism," said Peranich. "Certainly casinos have been here long enough for Mississippians to move up the food chain."

The state's first casino opened on the coast in 1992. Since then, there have been debates over what the state should do to train people for casino jobs.

Patton said although no state-funded schools have gaming-related curriculum, "I know there are some Mississippians moving up."

"Native Mississippians who want jobs in the casino industry don't have a problem," he told the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday.

The committee was discussing gambling matters with commission staff, who were at the Capitol seeking $11.6 million for their budget next year.

Committee chairman Charlie Capps, D-Cleveland, said until the Legislature authorizes casino management classes at Mississippi colleges, the state can expect to see out-of-state residents getting the best jobs at casinos.

"They don't really care where you're from. They just want somebody to do the job," said Capps.

Patton said the commission will try to survey casinos to find out how many Mississippians are in middle management jobs.

The casinos generate $2.6 billion a year in revenue. The state gets about $208 million annually in taxes and governments in areas with casinos collect about $104 million.

Patton said new projects will fuel more growth in the next year. The coast is expected to see a 14 percent increase. Tunica County's growth is expected to be 11 percent and Vicksburg and Natchez 5 percent.

Most of the discussions Tuesday were not about finances but social problems related to casinos. Patton was asked about losses incurred by Mississippians each year at casinos and marketing tactics.

Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, waved a casino marketing pamphlet encouraging people to "bring your pay check and play" at a casino.

Patton said casinos are discouraged from using such tactics. He said the Legislature, not the Gaming Commission, would have to impose limits on casino check cashing.

Rep. Billy Broomfield, D-Moss Point, said limits should be considered.

"Once you cash that pay check in the casino, the odds of you leaving with any of it are very slim. What happens to the family at home?" he asked.