“It’s something that we’ve been looking at since September,” said Corey Plummer, vice president of gaming, adding that table games are increasing in popularity and more tables are especially needed for weekday play.

The game floor expansion could take place in as little as 30 days once permission is granted, Plummer said.

The casino also is planning on opening a banquet facility in space above the Wheelhouse bar that will take advantage of Pittsburgh’s panoramic views. The facility will be available for conventions, meetings or large poker tournaments.

With the potential of more table games comes a need for more dealers. Rivers Casino will hold a dealer school job fair Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel, Station Square.

Dealer school will begin Jan.19 and will run Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 to 6 p.m.

Typically dealer school runs for 6 to 8 weeks, 5 hours a day. Applicants will not be paid to attend the dealer school and will have to apply for a specific table games position after finishing the classes.

While 2,000 job-seekers attended the last job fair, casino Vice President of Gaming Corey Plummer expects the number this time to be closer to 500. He suggests that potential applicants treat it like any other job fair and to come prepared.

Although dealers are paid mostly on tips, earnings can reach $40,000 to $50,000 a year. Plummer said that they would like to see 150 people start at the school, although not all will be hired upon completion of the courses. For more information, visit www.riverscasinoteam.com.