Maryland Live! is an Instant Hit

The Maryland Live! Casino opened for business around 10 p.m. on June 6, welcoming thousands of players who’d been waiting outside for hours to be among the first to experience the highly anticipated $500 million facility.  Some estimates said that around 10,000 people visited just on the first night, Casino officials now say they expect around 20,000 visitors per day.  The casino – the largest in Maryland – features around 3,100 Las Vegas-style slot machines and electronic table games (including blackjack, roulette, mini-baccarat, and Pai Gow poker); live entertainment; and a variety of restaurants.  (Currently, there are four restaurants; a fifth, the Baltimore staple The Prime Rib, will open by the fall.)

Both the state and the casino are expecting a jackpot.  Maryland Live! has created 1,500 permanent jobs and expects to pay more than $400 million in taxes, with nearly half the money going toward education.  Later this year, the casino will add 1,500 more machines and a concert venue.

The casino will be open Sunday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. On Friday and Saturday, it will stay open until 4 a.m.