Blackjack math test

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be the head honcho of the Table Games Department at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa? We have the full scoop on how Paul Mollo, Vice President of Table Games, started in the casino industry and what guests can expect from his department in 2015:

How did you get into the casino business?

I was actually a Chef way back in the day. I worked at a few different restaurants and I didn’t really see that as my future so I took a civil service exam for police officer and I was ranked 9th out of around 400 people. So they said, “You’re going to basic training for police, ” but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a cop either… who likes writing speeding tickets? When at home one night, talking with my sister she said, “Why don’t you go down to Atlantic City and just take the entrance exam to get into dealer school?” So, on a whim, I took the exam which is basically a math test and I aced it. They said, “You can start dealing school next week” and I thought I think I will. So I quit my chef job and went to dealing school for blackjack, craps, and roulette in the summer of 1980 and it was fun. I ended up getting a job instantly.

What was it that landed you the job?

I opened Harrah’s Atlantic City Resort and Casino in 1980 and theywere looking for friendly people. It wasn’t the math skills as much as the good customer service and friendly demeanor that they were looking for… similar to what we look for here in Tampa.

How long have you been in the casino industry?

It’s going on 34 years.

How many people do you personally oversee?

850 in tables and another 250 in poker, so 1, 100.

How do you manage 1, 100 employees?

Through having great shift managers and great team members, you can’t do it alone; it has to be a Team concept. I delegate a lot of high-level projects because it’s a great way for the Team to get involved with the business instead of me just doing all of the work and them not absorbing anything.

What’s the best part of your job?

It’s never a dull moment. I don’t spend eight to nine hours in an office. I get out and walk the floor… I’ll go to tournaments, special events and talk to customers and talk with my great Team Members. It’s not a cookie cutter job where every day is the same. Being the boss means I can do a lot of different interesting things… It’s fun, but it’s obviously a lot of work as well.

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