Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino Interview Questions
& Process

It began with a math test, which I found a bit unusual for this industry, followed by a simple questionnaire and an inquiry about my experience. They mentioned specific keywords they were looking for, and it felt a bit strange. I was surprised because I have the qualifications they need, but they told me they didn't like half of my answers. When I asked for more details, they were vague and said I couldn't reapply for a year. I felt pretty insulted and embarrassed, especially since I know many people who work there and they actually encouraged me to apply.

The interview process was quick and simple. They offer a 2-week training period, which I believe is now paid at approximately sixteen dollars an hour. The work hours are not very flexible, with three shift options available, each lasting 8 or 10 hours.

I applied online and got a call from the Table Games Trainer not too long after. He sounded like a nice, down-to-earth guy. I wore a suit, which felt like overkill, but I'd do it again. After checking in with security, I was taken upstairs to meet with a higher-up woman I've never seen since, though I hear her name around. The trainer and the Table Games Manager interviewed me, two-on-one. They were both very pleasant and clear about the job's demands: nights, weekends, a smoky casino environment, and dealing with unhappy customers and coworkers. It honestly felt more like they were trying to convince me to take the job than me trying to impress them. They said I'd get a call within a day if I was selected to start training. I got the call shortly after getting home and accepted the offer. The pay was $7.35 per hour plus tips, averaging an extra $8-12 per hour. Training is considered part of the hiring process. I was in a training class of four, which overlapped with another group of two. Six of us started, but only my group of four continued the next week. A year later, four of us are still there, which is probably better than the usual turnover rate for new hires. We learned how to deal Blackjack, handle payouts, maintain the game, and communicate with supervisors. We were told upfront that training is essentially an audition for the job. After passing different parts of training, you start dealing on the floor.

For this role, you'll need to be good at mental math and be ready to be personable with fellow employees as well as the customers you interact with on the floor. They have a rule where if someone gets within 5 ft of you, you are supposed to smile.