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US casinos struggle with crippling staff shortages despite reopening

From Cripple Creek to Las Vegas, casinos are desperate for workers—but even $1,000 bonuses aren't enough. What's keeping employees away?

The image shows a poster advertising the Pau Air Pur Golf Sports Courses Casino. The poster has...
The image shows a poster advertising the Pau Air Pur Golf Sports Courses Casino. The poster has text written on it, likely describing the features of the casino and its amenities.

US casinos struggle with crippling staff shortages despite reopening

Casinos across the US are facing a severe staffing shortage as the industry tries to bounce back. In Cripple Creek, Colorado, some venues report receiving no applications at all for open roles. The problem has grown worse despite businesses now operating without major restrictions. The issue began after Colorado casinos started reopening in June 2020. Health rules kept operations limited for months, but even now, many struggle to fill positions. Teller County, where Cripple Creek sits, saw unemployment jump from 3.1% in February 2020 to 5.9% today.

Generous unemployment benefits may be part of the reason. Colorado offered an extra $600 per week, which could have made staying home more appealing than returning to work. Casinos have tried incentives like bonuses over $1,000, but these have failed to draw enough staff. The problem isn’t just in Colorado. Mississippi and Las Vegas have also reported difficulties hiring. Many casinos nationwide are now competing for the same limited pool of workers.

With fewer applicants and high demand, casinos are still far from full staffing levels. The shortage comes at a time when venues need workers the most. Without enough employees, some may struggle to maintain normal operations in the coming months.

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