The sixth annual Gaming Diversity Report from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board shows the number of minorities working in casinos continues to grow.
Statewide, 31 percent of the 16,644 casino employees are minorities. That’s up slightly from last year’s 30 percent. Diversity also continues to grow among management, executive and professional positions.
“This year we have 2,733 individuals; 63 percent are males, 37 percent are females and 21 percent are minorities, which is a good number,” said Mozelle Daniels, director of diversity for the Gaming Control Board.
River’s Casino in Pittsburgh employs 1,713 people, 24 percent of which are minorities. There are 394 people in executive/management and professional positions, 12 percent of which are minorities. That number is expected to increase there, and that trend is expected to continue at most of the casinos in the state.
“Because they have diversity committees, they’re promoting from within, they’re training, they have retention programs, they have lots of different opportunities available for their staff to improve and move forward,” Daniels said.
The report also includes demographic data for areas in which casinos are located. Daniels said in most cases, employment reflects the communities. For example, at Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington County, minorities make up only 6 percent of employment; 4 percent of the minorities are black. In that county, 3.3 percent of the population is black, according the 2010 US Census.
Statewide, 89 percent of casino employees are Pennsylvania residents, and 96 percent of Rivers Casino employees are state residents.
“The goal with gaming is to ensure and promote local hiring preferences,” Daniels said. “That is to try to make sure we get jobs for people in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
In addition to demographic data, the report highlights charitable giving and community outreach by casinos. Statewide, casinos contributed more than $16.4 million to communities. The full report can be found on the Gaming Control Board’s website.
