Maryland's first table games open in Perryville

For the first time players have – legally -- won and lost money at table games in Maryland.

Hollywood Casino was the first of Maryland’s casinos to open back in 2010.

Now, players have real chips and real cards dealt by real dealers.

“I don't really like the electronic games you just put your money in and then you let the computer do it you know. I don't really like it,” said Tavon Bell of Baltimore County.

Players we spoke with say they’ve gotten used to making a drive, when they want to risk some of their money:  “Delaware Park, Atlantic City, we've been to Charles Town, a little bit of everywhere,” said Natoshia Watters of Harford County.

Now -- officials at Hollywood Casino in Perryville feel they can compete with the out-of-staters.  Casinos make most of their money *from* slot machines, but they feel that could be changing.

“Slots has less labor attached to it but table games are becoming more and more popular people are looking for that action; it's a different customer than we've had before,” said Bill Hayles, the General Manager of Hollywood Casino in Perryville.

Competition will also come from within the state -- Maryland Live! just outside Arundel Mills Mall will also begin offering table games later this year.

It is the state's largest casino and when it opened last year, it took away a huge chunk of Hollywood's business.  Still, there is optimism in Perryville.

“Even though we're down year over year we've shown steady increases the last couple of months, month-over-month,” Hayles said.

So where will the players go once all the state's casinos have table games?

Apparently, it depends.

“All depends on if I win or not. All depends.  Whatever one I win the most that's where I'm going at,” Bell said.

In addition to getting table games up and running on Wednesday, from now on Hollywood Casino will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.