Marina Bay Sands gears up for April 27 opening with final hiring burst

SINGAPORE, 25 Feb (Channel NewsAsia): Marina Bay Sands has launched its final burst of hiring before it opens on April 27. Singapore’s second Integrated Resort (IR) aims to bring in some 5,000 people in various positions over the next 60 days.

Already, there are 3,600 casino staff on board and in just the last 48 hours alone, Sands said recruitment doubled with croupiers coming in for training.

Within a commercial building located at Mountbatten Road, is the newly—formed Marina Bay Sands Training Centre.

Behind closed doors are where thousands of dealers and croupiers are put through their paces.

Sands said nearly all its dealers are Singaporeans. It was unable to give an exact figure but added most of the people it has recruited across the entire IR are locals.

All casino staff have to undergo a training stint that could take up to seven weeks.

There’s no room for mistake for the dealers once they’re on the gaming floor.

Geraldine Wong, dealer inspector trainee, said: “We need to calculate a lot for this job like how to get the payment fast and accurate.”

Training started six weeks ago.
With some complaints over inexperienced dealers at the recently—opened Resorts World Sentosa, Marina Bay Sands is not taking any chances.

Thomas Arasi, CEO, Marina Bay Sands, said: “We’re going to strive to open as close to perfection as we possibly can. So, while there are no guarantees in there, there are assurances and we are just incredibly focused. We’re giving it our 100 per cent and we hope to get as close as we can to 100 per cent in terms of execution.”

Sands said there are various positions available in areas such as hotel operations, security and F&B.

There are currently about 1,800 dealers being trained in the casino training school and it simulates a real working environment with dealers working in eight—hour shifts.

As part of the certification process for the casino, representatives from the Casino Regulatory Authority have also visited this school.

Sands has said it will open the S$7.7 billion Marina Bay project in phases.

The announcement comes after three years of work including several delays and even concerns over the business viability of its parent company, Las Vegas Sands, which took a battering during the global financial crisis.

But things seem to be on the mend.

Las Vegas Sands Corporation has said that it will seek to refinance about US$5 billion in bank debt.

Mr Arasi added: “This is definitely a marathon and not a sprint. The reality of it is about the kind of experience and reputation and the type of market reach that you have over a period of time.”

Unlike Resorts World Sentosa which targets leisure travellers, Marina Bay Sands has said its focus is on high—end business travellers as well as the meetings and convention sectors.

As for social safeguards, Sands said it is working closely with the relevant authorities.

The Marina Bay Sands recruitment centre is open from Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm and is located at #02—34 Mountbatten Square, 229 Mountbatten Road. For more information you can call 6688 8860. — CNA/vm