For three hours Thursday, thousands of people poured through the food court at Arundel Mills mall, hoping to score information on one of 4,000 jobs that will be available if Cordish Cos. builds its proposed slots casino nearby.

Barbara Burnopp, a 47-year-old welder from Severn, was at the job and vendor fair with her sister, Betty Myers of Ferndale. Unemployed since February, Burnopp saw opportunities in her trade once construction begins, but like many yesterday, both women said they were just looking for something.

"Nowadays, I'm willing to do anything," Burnopp said.

Cordish Cos. officials said that...