Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

O’Sheas shutting down April 30 to move to Linq

O'Sheas Casino

Leila Navidi

O’Sheas Casino in Las Vegas seen on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.

Updated Thursday, March 8, 2012 | 3:10 p.m.

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After three decades as a dependable place for inexpensive drinks, entertainment and low minimum wagering, O'Sheas will be closing at the end of next month and moving to the Linq project.

But contrary to earlier reports, officials with the casino's parent company, Caesars Entertainment, say the 300 people currently working at O'Sheas won't necessarily be losing their jobs.

"We will start meeting with all of those employees to explain to them what they can expect as we begin to move them to other properties," said David Reese, Ceasars senior vice president of human resources for the Las Vegas region.

The current O'Sheas location will close April 30 to facilitate demolition, making way for its new spot in the $500 million Linq development.

O'Sheas employees will be given priority placement at other resorts and casinos, including jobs opening at pools and at the upcoming World Series of Poker, Reese said.

Reese said Caesars, as required by law, emailed O'Sheas employees a warning letter about next month's closing. The letter may have created an impression that the workers were losing their jobs, he said, but the reality is that the employees will not be ousted.

"I will be surprised If we end up displacing very many folks at all," Reese said.

Caesars has been training an average of 75 new employees a week at its Vegas properties. A few former O'Sheas workers could find themselves working for better tips.

"Some might argue it's a step up to be a dealer at Paris or the Flamingo than it is at O'Sheas," Reese said.

Customers of O'Sheas can expect a newer version the Irish-flavored casino when the Linq opens in 2013, company officials say.

From an employment standpoint, the Linq will provide 3,000 construction jobs as work on the project moves from the back lot to more visibility on the Strip during the coming months.

An official groundbreaking is set for later this year, said a Caesars spokeswoman.

When the Linq opens next year, it will provide 1,500 full-time jobs in retail, at the new O'Sheas and other attractions around the 550-foot High Roller observation wheel.

"Eventually this will have a positive impact on the city with about five times more jobs," Reese said.

Read the official press release.

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