Two North-East youngsters have hit the career jackpot, training to be dealers at the five star Aspers Casino.
Sarah Blaney and Anthony Ronald are just two of 46 local people – many of whom were previously unemployed – who have been trained by Aspers in a range of skills from dealing to reception work.
Sarah, 25, from Whitley Bay, said: "Before I started training I didn’t know anything about gaming. It’s been much harder than I thought, but I am loving it, especially roulette and three-card poker, as you are more involved with the customers and they make you think. I can’t wait until it opens to put all the training into practise."
Nineteen-year-old Anthony Ronald, from Cramlington, was unemployed and applying for loads of different jobs when he heard about the Aspers training programme. "It’s brilliant, the people are really nice and the trainers are very helpful. My favourite game is blackjack, as I think it’s what I am best at," said Anthony.
Their trainer, pit boss manager Andrea Batey, said the trainees have just completed their first nine-week period of training in a specially fitted out Aspers Training Academy, and passed an Aspers gaming qualification. "They couldn’t have been more enthusiastic," said Andrea. "They were great trainees, and we all look forward to the opening of Aspers next week so they can put their training into practise."
The Aspers Casino has a capacity for 1,200, with Freya’s Restaurant, Caf? Marie, Air Bar and Lady O’s Bar. Three state-of-the-art gaming floors include a VIP area, an electronic gaming area and a main floor for gaming tables and "slots." Other facilities include a beauty salon, shoe shine and ipod music relaxation lounge.
Aspers director Damian Aspinall said: "We consider Newcastle and The Gate as the best potential market in the UK. Newcastle is such a leisure-orientated city, and that’s been proven by the success of The Gate. As a casino operator it ticked every box.
"The idea is that Aspers is a leisure destination not solely for gambling. Customers will be able to come and spend the whole evening at Aspers and not gamble. There is nothing like it in the UK."
