Posted on: February 7, 2026, 08:22h.
Last updated on: February 7, 2026, 08:22h.
- Live! Casino Virginia is continuing its free dealer school
- The free classes are held at Richard Bland College
- The permanent Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia is set to open in Petersburg in late 2027
A forthcoming casino is in need of table game dealers. The $600 million resort is offering free training and recently increased pay for those interested.
The Cordish Companies opened its temporary casino in Petersburg, Va., last month. The 75,000-square-foot pavilion tent gaming structure has 900 slot machines and 30 live dealer table games.
The provisional Live! Casino Virginia operates on the construction site where Cordish is investing $600 million to open a permanent casino resort. Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia is slated to open in late 2027 with a 200-room hotel, a resort-style pool and fitness center, 10 restaurants and bars, and a casino with 1,600 slots, 65 table games, a poker room, and a sportsbook.
Since casino gaming is relatively new to Virginia, Live! must find trained croupiers. Following a free school offered last year, Cordish is doubling down on its partnership with Richard Bland College in running a second Dealer Institute.
Free Dealer Training
Similar to last year’s program, Live! Casino Virginia and Richard Bland College are teaming up to offer the Dealer Institute for free. Students will learn how to deal a variety of table games.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 21 years old. While the seven-week program is tuition-free, students must purchase a blackjack kit for $50. The classes are offered Monday through Thursday, from 7-11 am or 5-9 pm.
The RBD Dealer Institute is located at the RBC Workforce & Career Readiness Center at 3333 S. Crater Rd., Suite 4A. The classes are taught by certified casino table game dealers.
As Petersburg’s economy continues to evolve, Richard Bland College is proud to contribute to workforce development, preparing the next generation of professionals for high-paying jobs in one of the most dynamic industries in the country,” said RBC President Dr. Debbie Sydow.
The Dealer Institute, along with preparing students on how to deal cards, educates the future dealers on customer service, game integrity, and responsible gaming practices.
Upon completion of the Dealer Institute, graduates will be eligible to apply for employment at Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia or any other casino. While Live! said in 2025 that dealer graduates should expect to receive $50,000 as an entry-level, first-year dealer, the casino has since upped the starting salary ante to $60,000 in wages and tips.
Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia
Cordish plans to open the permanent Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia in 2027. That isn’t all the Baltimore-based gaming and hospitality conglomerate has planned for Petersburg.
Cordish and its local development partner, Bruce Smith Enterprise, have a subsequent development phase planned. Should all go well for the casino and hotel, Cordish and Smith say they’ll invest another $800 million to bring a mixed-use component to the destination that features residences, retail shopping, restaurants and bars, office space, and a grocery store.
Source link
