Casino Looks to Move Fast on Table Games

Operators of the Maryland Live! Casino said they will move quickly to add live table games and expand its hours, now that voters have approved a referendum on expanded gambling in the state. 

The Cordish Cos. said it will be ready to go once the state issues the necessary regulations to govern table games and 24-hour operations. The company said it will be hiring for as many as 1,000 new positions. 

"Maryland Live! looks forward to enhancing its gaming offering and is prepared to Go Live! with table games—physical modifications and hiring for over 1,000 new positions—soon after the State issues the necessary governing regulations," the company said in a statement. Casino spokeswoman Carmen Gonzales said there is no specific timeline as to when the changes will be in place.

Voters approved the installation of table games at casinos as part of a measure that also will allow for 24-hour operations and a license for a new casino in Prince George's County. The Cordish Cos. had opposed the ballot measure, arguing that it needed more time to get established before new casinos were added in the state. 

Maryand Live! opened in June near the Arundel Mills Mall, and now has 4,750 slot machines along with a series of restaurants and a concert stage. It is one of three casinos operating in Maryland, along with the Hollywood Casino in Perryville and another at Ocean Downs. The state has also issued licenses for planned facilities in Baltimore City and Allegany County.

The referendum passed by voters Tuesday will allow for a sixth license, and developers have eyed National Harbor and Rosecroft Raceway in Prince George's County as potential sites.  

The approval of table games comes as the Maryland Lottery announced that casinos in the state pulled in $39.6 million in revenue in October. Maryland Live! pulled in about $30.6 million, down from about $32 million in September. 

In addition to moving toward table games, Maryland Live! said it will hold a job fair next week in search of workers for its Prime Rib restaurant. The fair will be held on Nov. 14 and 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its human resources department. The restaurant is hiring for food servers, bartenders and hostess/greeters.

Have you been to a Maryland casino in the past year? Tell us in comments.