Page 16 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Winter, 2022

Treasure Bay, Biloxi Bally’s Vicksburg
Casinos treat employees to fun at the holidays
MISSISSIPPI — Holiday fun can happen anywhere — even at work. That’s what casino employees across Mississippi discovered in November and December as they were treated to Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas parties, decorating contests, and holiday meals and treats.
In fact, team members at Trop Casino Greenville were treated to
12 Days of Holidays in December.
The fun started with a breakfast at which the executive team, including General Manager Colin Skidmore, served eggs, bacon, potatoes and more to team members and their families. Door prizes were awarded
to adults and there were toys for the children. Additional fun included days where team members were treated to snacks, like old-fashioned peppermints and hot chocolate, pastries, summer sausages and even homemade lasagna.
And team members who worked on Christmas Day ate a free holiday meal provided by the company.
A special meal was also enjoyed
by Beau Rivage employees at the property’s annual employee Christmas party. Featuring a theme of Good Tidings of Comfort and Joy, the party offered employees pan-seared redfish, grilled flank steak and prime rib, as well as an assortment of holiday goodies, including frozen coffee and hot chocolate. Casino executives were on hand to serve employees at the party.
All employees were also entered in a drawing for raffle prizes, and
the monthly SHOWstopper drawing recognizing those who delivered SHOWstopping service was also held in conjunction with the event.
There were a number of employee competitions at Mississippi casinos during the holiday season, including Treasure Bay’s Christmas tree decorating contest. Open to teams and individuals, the annual competition also serves as a holiday fundraiser where employees decorate three-foot trees
in a variety of themes. Trees are then judged in several categories with prizes for the top three places.
“We were all wowed by the creativity with the themes,” said Director of Marketing Ryan Meister. “It was great to see the holiday spirit in full swing. It was a tough decision — the time and effort put in by all the participants is something to be proud of.”
COO Susan Varnes presented the Holly Jolly trophy to the hotel team, known as the Hotel Divas, for their mermaid tree. “Not only will the trees bring joy to those who purchase them,” said Varnes, “but local charities benefit throughout the year.”
All the trees were displayed around the property and sold in the Gift Shop raising $3,900.
At Trop Casino, it was office doors that were decorated in the spirit
of the holidays. The team from the cage received first prize and a party for their team. There was a tie for second place between the surveillance department and the administrative office. Those departments received Total Return Credits.
Horseshoe Tunica team members celebrated National Ugly Sweater Day by dressing up in colorful outerwear, and at Bally’s Vicksburg, ugly sweaters were also part of team member holiday fun. Winning gift cards at Bally’s were Ashley Roberts, EVS,
first place; Jacqueline Bell, security, second; and Neshekia Wells, table games, third. Team members also received holiday hams just in time for Christmas.
And, during
Thanksgiving,
employees
at Bally’s
Vicksburg
received a
turkey from the
company to
help with their
holiday meal as
did Hard Rock
employees.
Plus, Hard Rock employees were treated to an Employee You Pick event during the holiday season. Similar to
a guest shopping event, employees were allowed to shop through all the marketing items and choose one as
a gift from the company. There were many items to choose and employees had fun selecting their special gift.
While casinos made sure their guests were treated well during the holidays, employees also benefited from an atmosphere of fun and excitement as casinos also went all-in for their employees during the season. A festive mood of good cheer was the result.
Bally’s Vicksburg employee with frozen turkey
16 MISSISSIPPI GAMING NEWS WINTER 2022