With so many down on their luck in the Jackson area, they're turning to "Lady Luck" to hopefully turn things around.

"I'm here to apply for a job at the casino in Battle Creek," says Lynnette Hock of Parma.

"I was gonna try to get a casino position," says Christopher Moss.

"I'm going try to apply for a job, hopefully I'll be successful," says Jason Eggleston of Jackson.

On Thursday, representatives from the new Firekeepers casino in Battle Creek came to Michigan Works in Jackson to recruit applicants to fill 1,500 jobs. Those jobs range anywhere from slot machine attendants to security, cocktail servers to cashiers. And pay scale ranges from minimum wage all the way up to $18 an hour plus tip for positions like blackjack dealers.

This news sweet to potential employees' ears.

"I work full-time but I'm thinking maybe get another job on the side, this would be fun to do. Everybody needs more money," Hock says.

"Maintenance, housekeeping, dealing cards, I don't know, whatever they have available to match my description of jobs," Eggleston lists as potential jobs he'd take.

The casino careers are coming just in the nick of time.

Michigan's worsening 10.6 percent unemployment rate has Jackson stuck in a rut-- but some are hoping this will help start digging them out.

"It's really good news for Jackson. It's good for everyone, the whole community. I'm hoping this will be a domino effect for good news to come," says Lupe Hamden of Michgan Works.

Especially here in Jackson, with such a high unemployment rates, the 1,500 jobs are a special boost for people needing work.

Moss says jobs are "definitely hard [to find] in Jackson, might be one of the worst in Michigan."

But people have their eyes on the prize.

"Wwith this amount of jobs available, we're nothing but happy. It's a good sign for a new beginning," Hamden says.

Applications are being accepted online now. You can find a link below to the application page, or Michigan Works in Jackson is holding another application session Friday, January 22 as well.

No experience is necessary for most of these jobs, and they are willing to train.