Maryland Casino A Huge Hit Among Gamblers In First 4 Days

Maryland gamblers have for years been waiting for the opportunity to stay in their own state when they want to place bets in a casino. Last month, they finally received that wish when the Hollywood Casino Perryville opened to rave reviews and large crowds.

Those crowds have helped the casino exceed expectations in the revenue department. In the first four days, the casino made over $two million. That was good news for lawmakers in the state that were on the fence as to whether the casino would be good for Maryland.

The casino had 1,500 slot machines when it opened on September 27th. The average daily win at each of the slot machines was $346, much more than the projected $210 per day. The best part for Maryland residents is that the money they spent attending the first few days of the casino's existence will be helpful for the Maryland education system.

Maryland is one of several Northeastern states that has expanded gambling in the hopes of helping out the state budget and the education system. Pennsylvania has led the way in recent years, and New York and Delaware have also made strides in expanding gambling. Delaware has actually legalized sports betting last year.

All of the good news for these states has turned out to be miserable news for New Jersey. The state that once held a monopoly on casino gambling in the Northeast, has now seen each of these neighboring states cut into the profits of Atlantic City casinos.

First casino opens, but Anne Arundel slots in limbo

Gov. Martin O’Malley pulled the ceremonial first slots lever Sept. 30 at the grand opening of Maryland’s first casino, 3 days after Hollywood Casino Perryville’s 1,500 slots opened for business.

A second casino with 750 slots is slated to open in December at Ocean Downs, in Worcester County.

But Maryland’s most lucrative slots site, of the five approved for slots in a 2008 statewide referendum, is stuck in a electoral battle in Anne Arundel County. A county referendum — called Question A — on Nov. 2 will determine whether the casino proposed being built near Arundel Mills mall, licensed for 4,750 machines, gets the go-ahead or the boot.

“It’s the No. 1 proposal for funding vital services like fire and police, and the education trust fund,” said Todd Lamb, the campaign manager for Jobs and Revenue for Anne Arundel County, a pro-slots group. “There is no road map for bringing revenue to our county without going forward with Question A.”

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Hundreds show up for casino’s grand opening

Hundreds of people flocked to Hollywood Casino Perryville on Thursday to celebrate the official opening of Maryland's first slot machine venue in more than 40 years, despite the worst rainstorm of 2010.

The $97.5 million facility opened Monday, 3 days ahead of the official grand opening and a month earlier than originally projected by Wyomissing, Pa.-based casino owner Penn National Gaming.

"This is a big day for Cecil County, Perryville, the state of Maryland and people who live in the area and enjoy casino gaming," general manager Himbert Sinopoli said.

He later told the audience that the casino has attracted 21,200 visitors in its first three days of operation.

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First slots parlor gets state license, will open earlier

Maryland's first slots casino is officially cleared to open its doors to the public Monday — 3 days ahead of schedule — after state officials issued the Hollywood Casino of Perryville an operating license.

Maryland Lottery Director Stephen Martino signed the license Sunday evening allowing Penn National Gaming, the owner of the casino, to begin operations after a successful trial run of the facility on Saturday.

"Everything is a go and we will open at 8 a.m.," said Marc DeLeo, director of marketing at the casino. "We’ll open our doors as the first casino in the state. We passed all the tests, and they gave us the go ahead."

Hollywood Casino was originally scheduled to open Thursday, and still has plans to hold grand opening events that day. Monday's "soft" opening is slated for 8 a.m.

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Md. casino to open next week

After years of bitter debate and numerous setbacks, Maryland could actually have an operating slots casino this time next week.

Members of a state commission were greeted Wednesday by the sounds of whirring and dinging as they entered the nearly complete Hollywood Casino Perryville in the northeastern corner of Maryland, a 1,500-machine facility scheduled to make its public debut next Thursday.

Technicians scampered among the machines on the gaming floor. Minor construction remained to be done inside the cavernous, art deco structure, where oversize movie posters were suspended from the ceiling. And some major landscaping still must be completed.

But representatives from the casino, owned by Penn National Gaming, insisted they’re on schedule for a grand opening with dignitaries including Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), who has championed the state's slots program and is up for reelection in less than 6 weeks.

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