Casino Management Program Adopted At Southern Miss Gulf Coast

The Gulf Coast is heavily reliant on casino gambling to keep the economy above water, and casinos provide a large percentage of employment opportunities. That is why colleges are now starting to offer training for positions within the gaming industry.

The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast has announced plans to offer an online educational program for casino management. Students can go through the online program and come away with a certificate in casino management.

"The Mississippi Casino Operators Association recognizes The University of Southern Mississippi Casino Management Certification as exemplary for preparing students and employees for management positions within the casino resort industry," said Larry Gregory, executive director of MCOA. "MCOA encourages employers to recognize this certification through their tuition reimbursement program and hiring process."

Gregory is not the only person excited about the new program. Students who wish to have a career in the gaming industry are pleased to see the progress that has been made within the industry.

"When my dad went to school, he couldn't take classes for anything having to do with gambling," said Scott Frost, who's father is a dealer at a well-known Mississippi casino. "He told me how he had to work his way up and learn how to deal on his own. Now, I can take classes for an industry that has become one of the main sources of revenue here in Mississippi. Through all of the economic troubles of the past few years, it has been casinos that continue to hire people." The last point is not completely true, as casinos have hit hard times much like other industries. In recent months, however, casinos have started to see revenue figures trend upwards, offering hope for the immediate and long-term future.

"It's starting to pick up again," said Will Bracken, a regular at Mississippi casinos. "I think it's great that the colleges are finally starting to recognize what a big industry this is. Everyone gambles and goes to casinos, so educating our youth for possible future employment opportunities is a great thing."

The certificates can serve several purposes for students. The classes range from casino and resorts operations to resort financial analysis. The certification can be used to ally for a casino job, while students can also gain course credits for their undergraduate degrees.

October 5, 2012
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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