Hollywood Park Casino's Diverse Staff and Product Offerings: The Key to Its Success

Commonly nicknamed a "melting pot" metropolis, Los Angeles is widely known for being one of the most diverse regions in the nation. That's why Los Angeles-based companies that reflect a diverse employee base are so successful. Count Hollywood Park Casino as one of them.

In fact, Hollywood Park Casino can easily serve as an ideal model for company diversity. The casino's employees come from all parts of the United States and every corner of the globe, making it a welcome environment for just about anybody. Its multicultural staff has served Hollywood Park Casino well over the past several years, because Los Angeles-area card players generally represent the same level of diversity.

Phyllis Caro, Hollywood Park Casino's director of poker operations, hails from what many consider to be a "foreign" land - New York City. Caro has served at the helm of the casino's 70-table poker section since 1995, and has more than 27 years of experience in the poker industry. With a career that has included stints as a social worker, real estate agent, and poker dealer, not to mention being married to Mike Caro, "The Mad Genius of Poker," she may be the epitome of diversity. "The casino is filled with people who have stories just like mine," says Caro. "The level of casino experience and the varying backgrounds of our staff, not to mention Hollywood Park's unique mix of gaming and horse racing products, create a professional and exciting environment."

Romanian-born employee Victor Stanciu, who escaped from his formerly Communist country 20 years ago, has worked as a poker rotational assistant for the casino since its opening year. Soon after being hired, he says that he was surprised to learn that Romanian patrons often frequent the casino. "We have quite a few people from Romania coming here, even those who were born in the same city I'm from," says 50-year-old Stanciu, whose wife, Saviana, also works as one of the casino's dealers.

Facilities Director Kuyumba Kanama, a native of Zaire, didn't speak a word of English when, at the age of 23, he moved to Southern California to live with his older brother. After taking an intensive series of English-language classes, Kanama worked three jobs while studying electrical engineering at a local college. By the early '90s, he worked as an electrical engineer for a contractor that handled Hollywood Park Casino's electrical wiring months before it opened. Impressed by his work, the casino hired him to work for its electrical department. Today, at age 43, Kanama oversees the casino's entire facilities division. "I've matured a lot since I first started working here," he says. "It's been challenging because I have lots of responsibilities on my shoulders. But I like the challenge, since it helps me to grow."

Administrative Assistant Audrey Windom has remained a longtime employee because she believes the casino's diversity makes it an intriguing place to work. A single mother of two who was born and raised in Inglewood, Windom says her job has introduced her to people she wouldn't ordinarily meet or work with. "It's great to work with people from different backgrounds and nationalities, because it's interesting to learn how they live their lives," says Windom, 35. She also credits the casino for rewarding employees who consistently demonstrate a commitment to their careers.

While Hollywood Park Casino has clearly benefited from employing a diverse staff, the casino has also increased its appeal via its diverse product offering. Hollywood Park Casino is the only California card casino to offer card gaming, off-track wagering, bet runner services, and bingo - all under the same roof.

In fact, Hollywood Park Casino's wide selection of gaming choices is a major part of its appeal to both casino patrons and staff. "The casino is a unique place to work and play, in that we have the added excitement of horse racing, bingo, and regularly scheduled entertainment," says Caro.

When it comes to poker, Hollywood Park Casino has developed a reputation for having some of the best action in Los Angeles. The casino boasts more than 70 tables, and spreads all the popular games like hold'em, seven-card stud, stud high-low, Omaha high-low, and Mexican poker at limits starting at $2-$4 and going all the way up to $150-$300 and higher. If you are looking for a particular game and limit, chances are that Hollywood Park has it.

Hollywood Park Casino also offers progressive bad-beat jackpots for nearly all of its games, cash and prize promotions, and tournaments that are available on a daily basis.

In addition to its diverse gaming products, Hollywood Park Casino is one of a few California card casinos that offers a computerized players club program that issues free credit to players. The HPC Players Club is an inventive rewards program that offers complimentary credits for every hour played in a live game. With these credits, players may purchase items from a growing array of complimentary amenities, including meals, gifts, massages, airline tickets, hotel rooms, and more. Since launching the HPC Players Club three years ago, more than $5 million worth of credit has been issued to program participants.

With such an experienced staff and distinct product offerings, Hollywood Park Casino stands as one of the most unique card casinos in the Western United States. Its loyal and diverse staff continues to be a key ingredient for its success and broad appeal in the Los Angeles region.