$600 Million Casino Resort Offering Free Table Game Training, Higher Wages

• Gambling
• 07 February 2026

An upcoming casino requires dealers for table games. The $600 million resort is providing complimentary training and has recently raised wages for interested individuals.

The Cordish Companies launched its temporary casino in Petersburg, Virginia, last month. The gaming facility features a 75,000-square-foot pavilion tent with 900 slot machines and 30 live dealer table games.

The temporary Live! Casino Virginia is functioning at the construction site where Cordish is investing $600 million to establish a permanent casino resort. Directly! Casino & Hotel Virginia is expected to launch in late 2027 featuring a 200-room hotel, a resort-style pool and fitness center, 10 dining establishments and bars, alongside a casino with 1,600 slot machines, 65 table games, a poker room, and a sportsbook   Since casino gaming hasn't been around in Virginia for very long, Live! needs to hire people who know how to run the games. After offering a free training school last year, Cordish is strengthening its relationship with Richard Bland College to run another Dealer Institute.

Live! Casino Virginia and Richard Bland College are joining forces again to provide free dealer training, just like they did last year. People who enroll will get to learn how to deal different kinds of table games.

Free Dealer Training

To be considered, you need to be at least 21 years old. Even though the seven-week course doesn't cost anything for tuition, students do have to buy a blackjack kit for $50. The classes are held Monday through Thursday, either in the morning from 7 to 11 am or in the evening from 5 to 9 pm.

The RBD Dealer Institute is situated at the RBC Workforce & Career Readiness Center, found at 3333 S. Crater Rd., Suite 4A. The instructors are all 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.   Besides teaching you how to deal cards, the Dealer Institute also trains aspiring dealers in things like how to handle customers, keep games fair, and promote responsible gambling.

Once you finish the Dealer Institute, you can apply for a job at Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia or any other casino. Live! initially mentioned in 2025 that new dealers could expect to make around $50,000 in their first year, but they've since boosted that starting pay to $60,000, including tips.

Cordish is looking to open the permanent Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia in 2027. But that's not all the Baltimore-based company, which deals in gaming and hospitality, has in mind for Petersburg.

Cordish and Bruce Smith Enterprise, their local partner in development, have a follow-up phase planned. If the casino and hotel do well, Cordish and Smith mentioned they're ready to put in another $800 million to add a mixed-use section to the spot. This would include places to live, shops, eateries and drinking spots, office areas, and even a grocery store.