A total of 141 people, including former employees of Grand Station Casino, were hoping to land one of 33 jobs at Ameristar Casino during a job fair Friday morning at the casino’s administrative offices on Washington Street.

Annie Jenkins, Ameristar vice president and assistant general manager, said the casino tries to hold a job fair every quarter, adding they also hold them when the casino has openings in particular job categories.

“We held nine job fairs last year,” she said. “Usually, we have about 140 to 200 people attend. We were able to offer jobs to 19 people immediately this time.”

While the casino wants people with experience, Jenkins said, casino officials look for other attributes as well.

“We want people who will create an atmosphere of service and who enjoy helping people,” she said.

She said she did not know how many Grand Station employees attended the job fair.

Former Grand Station employees Ethel Harris and Demerick Fisher were among the applicants hoping for a position with Ameristar. Both said they were waiting to hear from the casino about jobs.

“I enjoy working, and I have responsibilities,” said Harris, who was a dishwasher at Grand Station. “I have a son in school, bills to pay and a mortgage. I love being with people, and I need a job, full-time or part-time, it doesn’t matter.”

Fisher, who was a sous chef at Grand Station, said he was willing to work anywhere.

“Line cook, whatever they need,” he said.

He said it was a relief to attend the job fair, saying the staff at Ameristar were helpful and “were straight with me.”

“They treated me better than the other places I’ve been,” he said. “They were fair. They told me they would get back with me, and I’m waiting. I hope I can find something. I need a job.”

Harris and Fisher were among the 230 people put out of work when Grand Station owner Delta Investments and Developments closed the casino on March 28 after it failed to reach a settlement with Bally Gaming Inc. over a $3 million debt that Bally said Delta owes.