Pennsylvania Schools May Offer Casino Courses

PENNSYLVANIA – As reported by the Patriot News: "As Pennsylvania's slot-machine gambling era begins, a course like that could be offered soon at a college near you. "…The Pennsylvania slots law passed last summer authorizes up to 14 casinos in the state. One will be at Penn National Race Course in East Hanover Twp. "Penn National's casino in West Virginia, Charles Town Races & Slots, employs more than 1,000 full- and part-time workers, about 400 of whom work in slots-related jobs as machine technicians, security guards, cashiers, accountants and managers. "Casino prospects are enticing to hotel and tourism students in Pennsylvania. "…Most state schools are not rushing to rewrite the curriculum guides. Several administrators contacted for this story said they need a better handle on long-term job market needs. "…At least one school, Robert Morris University, near Pittsburgh, is weighing a proposal to offer a minor in casino management as part of its hotel-management program. Robert Morris officials would not comment for this story. "Kutztown University's College of Business expects to launch a concentration in attractions management by fall 2006, a plan inspired in part by the legalization of slots. "Hubert Van Hoof, the director of Penn State's School of Hospitality Management, which has offered an introductory course in casino operations since the mid-1990s, said Penn State has no immediate plans to expand…"