ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md., April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Maryland Live! Casino has announced that the opening date for the new $500 million gaming and entertainment destination, located at the Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover, MD, will be June 6, 2012, at 10:00 p.m. (pending approval from the Maryland State Lottery Agency).

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120426/PH95758 )

In advance of the opening celebration, Maryland Live! Casino today launched the gaming industry's first play-for-fun online casino – Myliveonlinecasino.com – a free website that allows gaming enthusiasts to play their favorite slots games, win virtual credits, compete in online tournaments, and sign-up early for the Live! Rewards players card.

Myliveonlinecasino.com is the first play-for-fun online gaming environment to be branded and integrated with an existing gaming property's casino management system. Developed in association with Aristocrat Technologies in Las Vegas, the site is designed to allow Maryland Live! Casino to offer a world-class gaming experience both at home and at the actual casino; thereby, creating opportunities to offer rewards based on the player's total gaming experience, both live and virtual.

"We're proud to be a pioneer in the evolution of play-for-fun online gaming," said Joe Weinberg, Managing Partner, The Cordish Companies. "Myliveonlinecasino.com will generate a lot of excitement in advance of our opening. We encourage everyone to get warmed up, learn how to play the games for free, sign-up for our Live! Rewards players card, and get ready to Go Live on June 6 at 10 p.m."

Located at the Arundel Mills Mall in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, the first phase of Maryland Live! Casino will open with approximately 3,200 Las Vegas-style slot machines and electronic table games, including Blackjack, Roulette, Mini-Baccarat, and Pai Gow Poker. Slot offerings will include a mix of the latest games and classic favorites, such as Monopoly, Sex and the City, Wizard of Oz, Hot Shots and a full line of Quick Hits and Progressives.

A lineup of nationally-acclaimed restaurant brands, such as Bobby's Burger Palace, from celebrated chef Bobby Flay, The Cheesecake Factory® and Baltimore-based Phillips® Seafood will join the Live! Market Buffet and Noodles, an Asian wok and noodle bar, to offer a variety of irresistible dining options. And guests can place their bets, while placing their drink orders, at the R Bar, a unique, interactive bar inspired by the game of Roulette, where the bartenders serve double-duty as "dealers" calling the game.

Between July and October, Maryland Live! will open Rams Head Center Stage, another regional favorite, featuring live entertainment nightly; and The Prime Rib®, the legendary, Zagat-award winning steakhouse, also based in Maryland. The Shop Live! retail store and an additional 1,550 slots and electronic table games will complete the Live! experience.

"Maryland Live! Casino is a world-class facility that will bring a new level of entertainment to the gaming industry," continued Mr. Weinberg. "In the first phase alone, Maryland Live! will be more than twice as large as any existing property in Maryland and one of the largest casinos in the country. Upon completion, the full facility will represent the third largest commercial casino in the United States."

Maryland Live! Casino represents an investment of $500 million and is one of the largest construction projects in the state of Maryland. The project broke ground in January 2011 and has employed approximately 2,500 workers through its development. Upon completion, the property will employ approximately 1,500 employees; generate $400 million in tax revenue per year to support local schools, making it the single largest annual and ongoing source of revenue for Maryland's children; and generate $60 million in annual spending on goods and services, all benefiting the local economy.

Maryland Live! Casino will be open Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.; and Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m. Casino guests must be 21 years of age. Visit www.marylandlivecasino.com or follow Maryland Live! Casino on Facebook and Twitter @MarylandLive.

About Maryland Live! Casino

Located at the Arundel Mills Mall in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, the new $500 million Maryland Live! Casino will be one of the largest gaming, retail and entertainment destinations in the country with 4,750 slot machines and electronic table games; designer name brand shopping; a state-of-the-art, live entertainment venue; and nationally-acclaimed restaurants, such as Bobby's Burger Palace from celebrated chef Bobby Flay, The Cheesecake Factory®, Phillips® Seafood, and The Prime Rib®. Maryland Live! Casino is scheduled to open on June 6, 2012, at 10 p.m. (pending approval from the Maryland State Lottery Agency). Visit www.marylandlivecasino.com or follow Maryland Live! Casino on Facebook and Twitter. For employment opportunities, visit www.jobsatmarylandlivecasino.com. Maryland Live! Casino is being developed by The Cordish Companies.

About Aristocrat

Aristocrat Technologies Inc. is a subsidiary of Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL), a leading global provider of gaming solutions. The Company is licensed by more than 200 regulators and its products and services are available in more than 90 countries around the world. Aristocrat offers a diverse range of products and services including electronic gaming machines and casino management systems. For further information visit the company's website at www.aristocratgaming.com.

SOURCE Maryland Live! Casino