Maryland's Live! Casino Hotel Honors $200 Million of Community Grants in Local Region
Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, a property run by Baltimore-based Cordish Companies, opened back in 2012 in Anne Arundel County, near the Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Since the inaugural spin on their slot machines, the neighborhood surrounding the casino has experienced an influx of job opportunities and tax income.
Maryland's gaming legislation necessitates commercial casinos to allocate a portion of their monthly Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) from slot machines to local impact grants. Cordish officials recently stated that Live!'s local community contributions surpassed the $200 million mark.
From the time it opened in June 2012, Live! has channeled over $202 million to various local organizations. During its latest fiscal year, the Hanover casino directed $18.4 million in local impact and community grants to the Anne Arundel County Local Development Council (LDC).
Ryan Eller, general manager of Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, shares, "It's heartening to learn about the transformative work these organizations are doing to enhance our community. It is central to our ethos…to enrich the lives of Anne Arundel County residents, and we believe these grants will continue to empower these local nonprofits and other organizations committed to the same cause."
The grants were utilized to fund county programs, support initiatives, improve human services, beautify the area, and strengthen education.
Grants represent government financial assistance that utilizes tax revenue to offer public services, stimulate the economy, and enhance the quality of life. In Maryland, each casino's local grant money is usually paid to organizations and nonprofits within a three-mile radius of the slot machine gaming floor.
2022 Grants
In 2022, Maryland Live!, with the endorsement of the Anne Arundel County LDC, distributed grants to 38 nonprofits and community organizations amounting to $18,439,991.
The Anne Arundel County fire and police departments were the most significant recipients, with respective grants of $4.248 million and $3.496 million. The county Recreation & Parks department received over $2.5 million for a feasibility study. The Department of Public Works garnered $1.5 million for pedestrian improvements, bike trails, and general operations.
Anne Arundel Community College was the lone recipient of seven figures, taking $1.7 million. The Severn Center, a future Boys & Girls Club for the Annapolis chapter, was granted $800K.
BWI airport received $461,805 for a roadside beautification project. Slot tax money was also used to support food programs, with $50K allocated for the Anne Arundel County Food Bank to acquire a refrigerated trailer and $25K for the Christian Food Pantry.
The Fort Meade Alliance received $360K for its social, mental, and emotional wellness center, while the Provinces Civic Association collected $500K for its Lake Marion restoration.
Increase in Grants
Maryland gaming law indicates that each casino must allocate 5.5% of its gross slot revenue for local impact grants.
Maryland Live! earned roughly $492.8 million from slot players in 2022, a 1.2% boost from 2021 when the casino's terminals brought in $486.9 million.
Maryland's fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30, meaning Live!'s latest fiscal year grant money doesn't include the final six months of the casino's record-setting 2022 campaign.
Live! Slot Revenue History
- 2022: $492.8M
- 2021: $486.9M
- 2020: $299.4M
- 2019: $422.5M
- 2018: $392.3M
- 2017: $354.3M
- 2016: $399.3M
- 2015: $400.7M
- 2014: $414.3M
- 2013: $433.1M
- 2012: $229.3M
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