Maryland is currently debating the online poker industry and whether it should change its existing legislation to allow online poker. However, a more pressing issue at hand for the Maryland is the battle is the ongoing battle between Maryland Live casino and the Horseshoe Casino.
The Maryland Live! casino has been in operation for over two years and has done well considering the fact that it is the leading casino in Maryland. However, Maryland Live! faces competition for a new casino called the Horseshoe Casino that has launched live casino games and poker for Maryland residents and tourists.
The Horseshoe Casino Baltimore launched operations in August and poses an immediate threat to Maryland Live!. The Horseshoe Casino Baltimore is located in Crabcake city and cost $442 million to set up. The casino has 122,000 square feet for casino and poker games, a branded World Series of Poker room that has 25 tables and sound financial backing to advertise and promote its services. The Horseshoe Casino Baltimore is owned by Caesars and will use this leverage to expand and capture a significant market share on the mid Atlantic sector.
Maryland Live! has built a regular customer base with many Poker Pros now attracted to come play there. The casino has 4750 gaming machines, a large poker room that has 52 tables and a number of other casino games that its players enjoy. The casino recently found out that an ex-employee who was a VIP hostess had joined the Horseshoe Casino and was reportedly sharing her list of contacts obtained at Maryland Live!
Maryland Live! Went ahead and filed a lawsuit citing that Helena Wong had misused information obtained at Maryland Live! The lawsuit claims that Helena Wong has shared over 1000 VIP contacts with the Horseshoe Casino and as a result has directly affected Maryland Live! operations. Helena Wong has emphatically denied that she is a thief saying that she did not steal anything as there was no non-confidentiality agreement signed.
The Maryland Live! lawsuit went on to say
Maryland Live! is entitled to damages as a result of the defendant’s (Wong’s) violations of the law, including actual losses, losses measured by the unjust enrichment caused by the misappropriation, exemplary damages, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees.
The court had not reached a final verdict but has asked Helena Wong to not share anymore contacts with the Horseshoe Casino till a verdict is reached. While both casinos battle it out, casino and poker lovers in Maryland will be happy they have better options to play their favorite games.
