Thousands Flock To The Grand Opening Of Maryland Live! Casino
HANOVER, Md. (WJZ)— The Maryland Live! Casino goes live, with more than 3,000 slot machines, live entertainment and upscale restaurants. And it's expected to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars.
Meghan McCorkell has more on Wednesday's big opening and what it means for Marylanders.
Thousands of people rushed through the door when Maryland Live! Casino at Arundel Mills opened around 10 p.m. on Wednesday. They all waited for their chance at the jackpot.
The crowd waited for hours to get inside with one thing on their mind.
"Awesome!"
"Money!"
"Win, win, win!"
"Lots of money!"
"Winning! We're here to win! This is going to do it!"
When they hit the floor, some had a strategy:
"You have to play the maximum."
Others, not so much.
"Push the button!"
By the end of the year, Maryland Live! will have more than 4,700 gaming machines. That's more than the MGM Grand and the Bellagio.
"We felt what is one of the great casino/entertainment projects in the country," Joe Weinberg, managing partner of the casino, said.
Anne Arundel County is also a winner with the casino bringing in 1,500 new jobs.
"Fifteen hundred permanent jobs. What that means in this economy is so important," said County Executive John Leopold.
Maryland Live! expects to pay more than $400 million in taxes, nearly half of the money going toward education.
"Every dollar helps, and keeping these dollars in Maryland and having these dollars turning around the Maryland economy will only benefit us," said one person.
Both the state and the casino are hoping to hit the jackpot.
Casino officials tell WJZ they expect about 20,000 visitors a day.
The casino will be open Sunday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. On Friday and Saturday, it will stay open til 4 a.m.
