41 dealers arrive for BSI casino

The first batch of foreign workers who will be working for Best Sunshine Live casino arrived on island last Saturday.

Forty-one workers, all of them dealers, came from the Philippines.

Best Sunshine International Ltd. said they are also waiting for the second and third batch of dealers from the same country to arrive. Best Sunshine’s initial cadre of dealers were U.S. citizens hired from the mainland.

The first batch of casino dealers from the Philippines arrived on Saipan last Saturday for Best Sunshine International’s live training facility in Garapan. The new dealers will start this week which will open up the rest of their gaming tables as well as their VIP section. (Contributed Photo)

In an interview with some of the new dealers, it was learned that many have about four to six years experience in the industry, working in casinos such as Resort’s World Manila, Solaire, as well as the recently opened City of Dreams Manila.

While most were attracted to the greener pastures offered by Saipan, others wanted career growth.

“It’s different once you have international experience,” said 27-year-old Franze Book, who was an industrial engineer by profession prior to entering the casino industry.

Book said that working in a casino actually gives him more opportunity to experience life since he doesn’t need to take home his work, unlike his old jobs.

He has a family in the Philippines and, although being separated from them is hard, he thinks it’s for the better. “They are the reason I am doing this,” Book said.

Jane Ramilo, 37, also has had other jobs before working in a casino. She experienced being a factory worker in Taiwan and working for a cruise ship. Looking back, Ramilo said she likes working in a casino better.

“At first it’s hard, but eventually it becomes entertaining,” Ramilo said.

Mary Jane Alejandro, 24, has a broadcasting degree but has fallen in love with her work at the casino as she enjoys being with people. Even at such a young age, Alejandro is already the breadwinner in their family and has two younger siblings.

John Robert Biniza, on the other hand, is a management graduate who also later opted to be a casino dealer.

Kenneth Villa, 29, had nothing but high praise for Best Sunshine for helping them with their application and making the process easier.

The new dealers hope to stay with Best Sunshine for as long as they want and they are just as excited as the company with the upcoming Grand Mariana Casino & Hotel Resort in Garapan. Best Sunshine expects to open the casino resort by the end of next year.