The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) inaugurated its new Casino Training Academy on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the Flanagan Campus in Lincoln. The academy, sponsored by Bally’s Corporation, offers a state-of-the-art facility for the college’s new “Introduction to Table Games Dealer Training” program.
The program, which kicks off this month, is a free, 96-hour in-person course that equips students with the skills needed to deal Blackjack and other popular table games like Spanish 21, Let it Ride, Three Card Poker, and Texas Hold’em. The training also covers customer service, conflict resolution, gaming etiquette, chip breakdowns, card and currency handling, and prepares students for live auditions and licensing.
The grand opening ceremony featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and live demonstrations of the training program. CCRI Interim President Dr. Rosemary A. Costigan joined Speaker of the R.I. House of Representatives K. Joseph Shekarchi, Bally’s Corporation R.I Operations President Craig Eaton, and other dignitaries were in attendance.
This initiative is part of a larger $5 million donation from Bally’s Corporation to CCRI, announced in September 2023. The college is developing additional gaming-focused curriculum, including degree programs and short-term credentials, to support the growing demand for skilled professionals in the industry.
“This is an exciting day for CCRI and another step forward as we continue to introduce new programs and degree pathways for all Rhode Islanders,” said CCRI Interim President Costigan. She emphasized the importance of the partnership with Bally’s in launching this new program.
House Speaker Shekarchi highlighted the positive impact this training academy will have on Rhode Island’s economy and job market, stating, “Hundreds of Rhode Islanders already have good paying jobs at Bally’s, and this new Training Academy offering will enable CCRI graduates even more options for fulfilling careers.”
Craig Eaton, President of R.I. Operations for Bally’s, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the partnership and its commitment to supporting the program. He emphasized that “Rhode Island is our home and as such, continued investment in its local communities and workforces is a top priority for us.”
The “Introduction to Table Games Dealer Training” program aims to provide students with the necessary skills and experience to pursue entry-level dealer positions in the gaming industry.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
