Sugarhouse seeks liaison to Asian community

Sugarhouse Casino is looking for someone to help them market their slots parlor to the region’s Asian community.

The job ad, which recently appeared on a casino careers website, seeks someone who can develop clientele and loyalty within the Asian community.

But not all Asians are eager to apply for the job. Helen Gym helped lead the campaign against having the city’s second casino located in Chinatown.

“The casino industry targeting the Asian community is much like the liquor industry and the tobacco industry in unregulated days that went after African American communities and other different groups,” said Gym.

She said she was surprised to see such a bold description of the job online.

But Sugarhouse executives said  it’s common practice to employ entire teams devoted to targeting the Asian community.

“Our location in Philadelphia is very close to Chinatown,” said Linda Powers, vice president for marketing at Sugarhouse. “And given the interest we’ve had so far from the Asian community we’re really looking to hire a liaison to help us understand and relate to that culture. We’re trying to serve a market that’s already here.”

Powers said the casino encourages anyone with a gambling problem to seek help through a state hotline.