“Everything is well on the way for the 10:00 a.m. December 15 soft opening,” said Eddie Llambias, the casino’s vice president and general manager said.
Saturday evening, the Isles of Capri family celebrated with a fun evening and pep rally, with the primary focus being to motivate the staff for the officially opening.
In addition to the pep rally, the staff conducted two days of casino simulation on December 11 and 12. During those two days the casino was up and running with one half of the staff performing actually duties, and the other half assuming the roles of customers.
“We ran the cage operations, paying jack pots, security issues and operating the table games,” Mr. Llambias said. “Drinks, food and every area of the casino were in operation.”
Over the past month new employees have been under-going intense training, which included the Isles of Capri systems operations, particularly as it relates to the casino’s Isle One club members.
“The new employee had special training in the area of club members benefits offered in the Isle One Programme,” explained Mr. Llambias. “This is a programme where players are rewarded based of their play.”
As general manager of Isles of Capri’s first operation outside of the US, Mr. Llambias said, “I am excited over this project as it will not only benefit all those involved, but when it I think of customer service and service in general, there is nowhere else in my experience that can match the kind of service Grand Bahama can provide.”
Mr. Llambias is not the only member of the Isles of Capri Grand Bahama family that is excited over this morning’s opening.
The more than 320 employees, all but four of whom are Bahamians, cannot wait for the doors to be officially opened.
“This is an exciting time, and I cannot wait for the officially start on Monday,” said one female security hired since the group arrived in Grand Bahama. “All of the employees are ready. They worked hard in the training sessions, and I believe that this project by Isles of Capri was a good investment, particularly for Grand Bahamians.”
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. owns and operates 15 riverboat, dockside and land-based casinos at 14 locations, including Biloxi, Vicksburg, Lula and Natchez, Mississippi; Bossier City and Lake Charles (two riverboats), Louisiana; Black Hawk (two land-based casinos) and Cripple Creek, Colorado; Bettendorf, Davenport and Marquette, Iowa; and Kansas City and Boonville, Missouri. The company also operates Pompano Park Harness Racing Track in Pompano Beach, Florida.
The Our Lucaya casino, has “30,000 square feet of gaming excitement.” The casino’s 30 tables offer guests their choice of games – from baccarat and Caribbean stud poker to blackjack and roulette. In addition, guests are able to try their luck at one of 400 slot machines
Barbara Walkin, The Freeport News
