Prior to the weekend, Maryland’s first and only outdoor gaming area opened to the public as Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover held a ceremonial “Cigar-Cutting” welcoming visitors to the new Orchid Gaming & Smoking Patio at The Cordish Companies’ property.

The full-service outdoor gaming area, which is situated where the buffet was previously located, features slots and table games and offers Ticket In/Ticket Out (TITO) Tables, another first in the state. The TITO Tables offer players the convenience of not having to make trips to the casino’s main cage to cash chips in.

Guests to Orchid Gaming & Smoking Patio will choose from 12 live action gaming tables, featuring Baccarat, Blackjack, and Roulette, along with 28 electronic table positions, to include “Dealer Assist” Baccarat, Craps, Blackjack and Roulette. As a complement to the table games, upwards of 150 of the latest slot machines, along with Video Poker, ranging in denominations from $.01 to $10 will also be offered.

Barrel aged cocktails will be offered among an extensive collection of spirits at Orchid’s exclusive bar, along with premium cigars that will be housed in specialty-built humidors within the bar.

Cordish Global Gaming President, Robert J. Norton, said, “Live! is committed to continuous improvement and developing new and different experiences for our guests, according to the press release.

“With Orchid, we have created a completely unique environment with a blend of gaming, music, design, and an upscale bar. Combine this amenity with the new luxury Live! Hotel, opening this month, and you have a destination unlike any other in Maryland,” explained Norton.

The Maryland venue’s new $200 million, 17-story flagship Live! Hotel will also be opening this year. Located directly adjacent to Live! Casino & Hotel, the new digs will feature a host of amenities including 310 guestrooms, including 52 Suites, Grand Event Center, 1,500-seat concert venue, restaurants, gelato bar, spa with fitness center, retail store, additional parking and more.