After years of starts and stops, including long stalls for needed paperwork and numerous legal hurdles, the SugarHouse casino, planned for a 22-acre site in Fishtown and Northern Liberties, might finally become a reality.

So might the casino jobs that politicians and developers have long promised the riverfront gambling hall will bring.

Last week, HSP Gaming, developer of the incoming $310 million slot parlor, held a "career information forum" at the Shissler Recreation Center in Fishtown in order to inform residents about some of the many jobs that could be available once the casino is built.

Once the first phase the casino is complete and 3,000 slot machines are installed at the site, SugarHouse expects to create about 1,100 permanent jobs.

In the casino's interim phase, with about 1,700 slots installed, the total number of employees is expected to be about 500.

During the informational forum, held Monday, June 29, more than 200 local residents showed up to learn more about what a potential career at the casino might entail.

With seats set up throughout the room, the crowd filled the gymnasium almost to capacity with every seat taken and many people crowding the halls and standing along the perimeter of the room.

"This is the moment I've been waiting for," said Joann Weber, vice president of Human Resources for SugarHouse, as she led the meeting. "SugarHouse will offer some sweet opportunities. When I say these are careers, I really mean it. We're in it for the long haul."

According to Weber, the bulk of the jobs that will eventually be available would be "customer service" positions.

"We want people to come to us who understand that we have competition in a very short driving distance," she said. "We want people who want to win."

Also, she said residents should prepare for many different shifts, since the slot parlor will run for 24 hours a day, every day of the week, including holidays.

"It's going to be a high-energy, very stimulating environment," she said.

Also, as is common in the casino industry, all employees would be prohibited from gambling in SugarHouse casino.

Weber said that most of the positions will require little or no experience, such as the 30 full and part-time jobs for slot attendants who will be expected to assist visitors to the casino.

However, the positions for slot technicians and slot supervisors will need experienced applicants, said George Mancuso, vice president of slot operations for the casino.

"When we expand to 3,000 slots, we will be looking to expand from within," said Mancuso, explaining that the casino plans to promote employees who have gained experience during the interim phase once the additional slots are installed at the completion of phase one.

Also, at opening, the casino plans to hire a security detail of 40 security officers, as well as about seven security supervisor positions.

There will be not experience necessary for the officer positions, said Mancuso, but for supervisors, they are looking for people with security, police or military experience.

"We could purchase the best slot machines, offer the best amenities . . . but we need employees that will offer the highest level of customer service possible," said Mancuso.