Maryland is expecting the opening of its first casino in less than six weeks and its owners are seeking a temporary occupancy permit to begin prepping employees.
The casino’s owners, Penn National Gaming, came before town officials this week to request the permit that would allow 50 executives and administration staff member to enter the site and begin the necessary work involved with hiring and training more than 250 employees within the next three weeks.
While builders may be on schedule and ready to bring gambling to the state on September 30, county officials have yet to sign off on various aspects of the $98 million casino project that is required before the Town Planners office can grant the casino a permit.
Another issue brought up at the meeting, was town officials concerns over spotlights being used during the opening week of the Hollywood Casino in Perryville.
Local pilots have warned that the casino is within close proximity to the Aberdeen Proving Ground’s Phillips Army Airfield in Harford County and that the use of spotlights could pose a danger to flights attempting to land.
However casino executives stated that they were unfamiliar with any dangers to pilots and would go through the proper permit channels.






