The Cordish Companies' Live! Casino & Hotel Celebrates 5th ANNIVERSARY on June 6, 2017 as Major Driver of Economic Development for State of Maryland

HANOVER, Md., June 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cordish Companies' Live! Casino & Hotel is poised to celebrate a major milestone on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, with its 5^th ANNIVERSARY as one of the largest and top performing casinos in the country. Live! Casino has also served as a major driver of tourism and economic development for the State of Maryland, welcoming more than 10 Million visitors per year; and generating nearly $3 Billion in total gaming revenue, with more than $1.4 Billion paid in gaming taxes to the State.

Since the $500+ million gaming and entertainment destination opened its doors at Arundel Mills on June 6, 2012, the facility has enjoyed years of success marked with continual growth, the evolution of new jobs, and increased revenue for the State of Maryland.

"As we celebrate our fifth year as one of the country's top casinos and the most-visited destination in our home state of Maryland, we are especially proud of the impact we've had as one of the State's largest taxpayers, with millions of dollars contributed to regional nonprofits; and quality jobs created for nearly 3,000 Team Members we call family," said David Cordish, Chairman of The Cordish Companies. "We are committed to further enhancing our guest experience and workplace, beginning with the opening of our new luxury Live! Hotel in 2018."

Going Live!
The Cordish Companies broke ground on Live! Casino on January 27, 2011, and opened in multiple phases.

On June 6, 2012, Live! Casino celebrated its official Grand Opening with 3,176 slot machines and electronic table games, including a High Limit room; multiple dining options, including Bobby's Burger Palace; the R Bar; and a secure covered 5,000-space parking garage. By the end of June, The Cheesecake Factory® joined the mix.

Openings through July and August 2012 included an additional 531 slot machines and electronic table games, and the Rams Head Bar. On August 30, 2012, the 500-seat Rams Head Center Stage made its debut with the legendary Charlie Daniels Band. On September 12, 2012, the facility added the final 1,043 slot machines and electronic table games, including a dedicated High Limit Slots Room.

Following a historic vote on November 6, 2012, whereby Maryland residents passed a referendum for expanded gaming in the State, including the addition of 24-hour gaming and live action table games, Live! immediately began making the modifications necessary to implement these changes. It was during this time, on December 6, 2012, that the Zagat-rated #1 steakhouse The Prime Rib® opened.

Live! Casino unlocked its doors for the final time on December 27, 2012, as 24-hour gaming operations commenced. Then, on April 11, 2013, more than 122 live action table games opened and ushered in the next generation of casino gaming in Maryland. The 52-table Poker Room soon followed on August 28, 2013.

Over the past five years, casino guests have also hit the jackpot – literally. Live! Casino welcomes more than 10 Million visitors per year, and is currently ranked as the #1 Tourist Destination in the State by the Baltimore Business Journal. Since opening, Live! has paid out more than $22 Billion in winnings to casino customers.

Now, construction is in full swing on the new, $200 Million flagship luxury LIVE! HOTEL. The 350,000- square- foot property features a 17-story hotel tower, making it the tallest building in Anne Arundel County, with 310 guest rooms, an event center, meeting spaces, new dining options, and a day spa/salon. The Live! Hotel is scheduled to open in early 2018. In addition, the LIVE! LOFTS boutique hotel is currently undergoing an extensive $3 Million renovation.

Jobs and More Jobs
Live! Casino & Hotel is currently one of the largest employers in the State with approximately 3,000 Team Members. Since opening, Live! has paid more than $907 Million in wages.

Live! Casino & Hotel is still hiring across all departments, including food & beverage, marketing, finance, environmental services, IT, and security. Recruitment efforts will soon be underway to fill more than 400 additional positions for the new Live! Hotel. Job descriptions and requirements for available positions are posted regularly at www.jobsatmarylandlivecasino.com.

A Boost to the Economy... and the Community
Live! Casino is one of the highest taxpayers in the State with more than $1.4 Billion paid in taxes to benefit education and other vital projects. Since opening, Live! has contributed more than $1.1 Billion to the Education Trust Fund; and over $29.9 Million in grants awarded to local MBE/WBE Businesses in Anne Arundel County.

"It's really amazing to look back over the past five years and realize how far we've come," said Rob Norton, President, Cordish Global Gaming Group. "I'm so proud of our Team and everything we have accomplished, especially with the amount of jobs created for the region and the revenue generated for the State."

In addition, more than $85 Million in local impact grants has been awarded in Anne Arundel County to support our local police, fire, rescue, community projects and other important programs and organizations.

Beyond that support, Live! Casino has contributed millions of dollars in cash donations and in-kind support to various local nonprofits and business organizations, including Susan G. Komen Maryland, the Casey Cares Foundation, the USO of Metro DC, the SPCA of Anne Arundel County, the American Red Cross, Capital Pride Foundation, Opportunity Builders, the Blue Angels Foundation, the Capital Area Food Bank, the Anne Arundel County Food Bank, and many more.

Continued Norton, "One of the great things about Cordish and Live! is that we have always been about more than just what is good for the property, we always consider what is good for the community as well. Cordish is a family business and we consider our employees and the community our family, so we're here to stay."

About Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland
Coming soon – the new flagship luxury Live! Hotel, scheduled to open 1st Quarter 2018. Now open – the new Live! Lofts boutique hotel. Live! Casino & Hotel is one of the largest commercial casinos in the country, located in the Washington DC/Baltimore corridor, just off I-95, Route 100 and the B/W Parkway at Arundel Mills. Open 24/7, Live! Casino features more than 200 live action table games, including a Poker Room; approximately 4,000 of the latest slot machines; and two High Limit rooms. The property offers world-class dining and entertainment, including the Zagat-rated #1 steakhouse The Prime Rib®; Bobby's Burger Palace, from celebrated chef Bobby Flay; Morty's Delicatessen, a traditional New York-style deli; Luk Fu, serving authentic Asian cuisine; The Cheesecake Factory®; Phillips® Seafood Express; and the multi-station Live! Buffet. Two new eateries include 8 at Luk Fu, featuring sushi and sashimi; and En Vivo, with classic varieties of soft tacos and pupusas. A sizzling nightlife, including nightly entertainment at Live! Center Stage and the unique, interactive R Bar, completes the Live! experience. Enjoy secure covered parking with valet service and a free self-park garage with Park Assist® and direct elevator access to the casino floor. Live! Hotel will feature 310 luxury guest rooms, along with a lively bar and entertainment scene, a day spa and salon, an event center, and meeting facilities. Live! Lofts boutique hotel is located just minutes from the casino and open while renovations are underway. For reservations, call 443-445-2929. Live! Casino & Hotel is owned and operated by a company that is affiliated with The Cordish Companies. Call 855-5MD-LIVE (855-563-5483); or visit Marylandlivecasino.com or LiveCasino.social. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For employment opportunities, visit www.jobsatmarylandlivecasino.com.

About The Cordish Companies
The Cordish Companies' origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately-held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Commercial Real Estate; Coworking Spaces; Entertainment Districts; Gaming; Hotels; International Development; Private Equity; Residential; Restaurants; and Sports-Anchored Developments. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. Prime examples are The Cordish Companies' prominent role in the redevelopment of Baltimore's world famous Inner Harbor; Philadelphia, PA; Atlantic City, NJ; Charleston, SC; Houston, TX; Louisville, KY; Kansas City, MO and St. Louis, MO. In addition, The Cordish Companies has developed and operates multiple highly acclaimed entertainment destinations throughout the United States which welcome over 50 million visitors per year and are the most visited destinations in their respective regions. Over the generations, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family's core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, long-term personal relationships and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created. For more information visit www.cordish.com or follow us on Twitter.

"The Cordish Companies," "The Cordish Company" and "Cordish" are trademarks used under license by independent corporations, legal liability companies and partnerships ("Cordish Entities"). Each Cordish Entity is a separate, single-purpose legal entity that is solely responsible for its obligations and liabilities. No common operations or financial interdependency, and no intermingling of assets or liabilities of the Cordish Entities exists, or should be deemed to exist, as a result of the potential common reference to multiple independent entities operating under the names "Cordish," "The Cordish Companies" or "The Cordish Company" here or elsewhere.

SOURCE Live! Casino and Hotel