New VP of gaming operations hired for Hempfield casino

A 27-year gaming veteran is joining the ranks of those working to open a new casino at Westmoreland Mall in Hempfield.

Brent Colston was named vice president of gaming operations at Live! Casino Pittsburgh, which is set to open before Thanksgiving. In his position, Colston will manage and direct table games, slots tech, sportsbook operations and staff. He will develop standard operating procedures and ensure games are in compliance with regulations.

“It has been an incredible experience working with the talented Live! Casino team and introducing my family to this community,” Colston said. “We are working diligently to bring the most exciting table games, slots and sportsbook experience to our guests.”

Colston is coming from Florida, where he held a similar position at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. There he was responsible for gaming analysis, slot and table games management, strategic planning, employee development and profit and loss management.

After starting his career in 1993, he moved on to work as director of casino operations at facilities in Mississippi, Louisiana and Iowa.

Colston joins several gaming veterans on staff, including Sean Sullivan, who was named general manager of the facility in February, and Joe Billhimer, who was named executive vice president of the Maryland-based Cordish Gaming Group in July. The group is a division of The Cordish Companies, which owns the Hempfield casino.

The casino, under construction in the former Bon-Ton department store, will feature 750 slot machines and about 30 table games. Restaurant and entertainment venues will be built into the space, including Sports & Social Steel City, a two-level sports restaurant and social lounge with 450 seats.

Officials are working to fill more than 500 positions through their website, workatlive.com, and at a recruitment center that opened last month in the former Barbara Ann’s Country Furnishings store, which moved upstairs. Dealer school is also underway at the mall, hosted by Westmoreland County Community College.