Licensed businesses employ 22,500
Pub Date: 1/1/2003
Montana's businesses licensed to conduct gambling employ 22,500 of your friends and neighbors. Many of these jobs are part-time that are a nice fit for students, or as second jobs and for young parents who require flexible schedules.
The payroll, without tips and benefits, is over $200 million. Many of these workers earn a decent wage and, with tips, can take home $12, $15 and even $20 an hour. Some earn paid vacations, insurance benefits and retirement plans.
A number of workers in these establishments hold college degrees and even advanced degrees, because the work can be fun and lucrative. However, most of the workers might be characterized as "the hard to employ": folks with limited educations or training, or workers who can only work part-time and need maximum scheduling flexibility. Many are young parents and even single parents. Some may have left or avoided the welfare rolls by becoming gainfully employed in a tavern, restaurant or casino.
Hospitality businesses licensed for gaming account for the state's third largest employment sector. Read further to see how workers in these businesses view their jobs.