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The Cordish Companies’ Live! Casino & Hotel And The Anne Arundel County Local Development Council Award $19 Million In Local Impact And Community Grants For FY2019
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Total Funds Disseminated by the LDC in Six Years Approaches $130 Million in Support of Anne Arundel County Schools, Public Safety, Operational and Capital Programs, Non-Profit Organizations and Community Associations
The Cordish Companies‘ Live! Casino & Hotel and the Anne Arundel County Local Development Council (LDC) awarded $19 Million in local impact and community grants to organizations in Anne Arundel County for Fiscal Year 2019. The grant and funding recipients were officially announced at a press conference and ceremony, held at the new Event Center at Live! Casino & Hotel.
This year’s grants bring the total funds in support of Anne Arundel County organizations to nearly $130 Million since Live! Casino opened in June 2012.
Joe Weinberg, Managing Partner of The Cordish Companies, joined Anne Arundel County Executive Steven Schuh, Delegate Pam Beidle, Anne Arundel County Councilman Pete Smith, and members of the Local Development Council (LDC) in presenting the grants to recipients ranging across county operational and capital programs, education, health and human services and community associations. The grant allocations were recommended by the LDC, which helps to manage the distribution of the county’s gaming tax revenue to local organizations.
“Live! Casino & Hotel and The Cordish Companies feel a deep commitment to improving the quality of life for all those who live and work in the Region,” said Weinberg. “The opening of Live! Hotel and the Event Center that will house County school graduations and other community events only increases our support of local programs which promote schools, public safety, diversity, community development and an excellent overall standard of living.”
Attending local officials and business leaders who presented and accepted grants on behalf of several organizations included Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare, Anne Arundel County Fire Chief Allan Graves, and Rebecca Paesch, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for the Baltimore Washington Medical Center.
“Live! Casino & Hotel and The Cordish Companies have played a tremendous role in helping our community prosper, with their unwavering support of organizations and programs that serve the citizens of Anne Arundel County,” said County Executive Schuh. “From the fire and police departments to nonprofits that protect our most vulnerable population, we see great value in this partnership that gives back year after year.”
“Live! Casino & Hotel remains a valuable partner in helping us address the needs and priorities of the county,” said Karen McJunkin, LDC Chairperson. “We look forward to maintaining this beneficial partnership that supports county development. We are also thankful for the indirect impact from visitors to Maryland’s number one tourist destination. Their entertainment and gaming dollars have had a tremendous impact in fostering growth for county organizations.”
The Local Impact Grant Recipients for Fiscal Year 2019 include:
|
Anne Arundel County Fire Department |
$5,598,000 |
|
Anne Arundel County Police Department |
$3,459,200 |
|
Anne Arundel County Office of Public Works / |
$2,900,000 |
|
Anne Arundel Community College |
$1,700,000 |
|
BWI Partnership |
$1,059,000 |
|
Anne Arundel County Library System |
$1,010,000 |
|
Anne Arundel County Recreations & Parks |
$900,000 |
|
ARC of the Chesapeake |
$600,000 |
|
Fort Meade Alliance Foundation |
$500,000 |
|
Community Grants |
$350,000 |
|
Spring Meadows Homeowners Association |
$300,000 |
|
Anne Arundel Workforce Development |
$270,000 |
|
United Way of Central Maryland |
$200,000 |
|
Administrative Support |
$100,000 |
|
Baltimore Washington Medical Center |
$40,000 |
|
Partners In Care |
$40,000 |
|
Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & AA County |
$40,000 |
|
FY 2019 TOTAL: |
$19,066,200 |
Recipients of the $350,000 in community support grants include the following:
STAIR
$8,500 to develop an early reading intervention program at Severn Elementary.
MacArthur Middle School
$39,303 to add classroom projectors
Meade High School
$29,819 to give Chromebooks to students
Annapolis Maritime Museum
$13,072 to implement an Oyster/Bay Education program for Meade Middle School
Junior Achievement
$15,000 for a mentoring program at various county schools
Frank Hebron-Harman Elementary
$23,500 to give Chromebooks to students
Jessup Improvement Association
$30,625 to build a new roof for the community hall
Ridgewood Estates
$25,732 to build a new community sign
Wesley Grove
$25,000 to replace the stove and renovate the kitchen
Ridge Forest
$20,000 for tree placement
Ridge Commons
$16,500 to purchase playground equipment and a tot lot.
Christians Assistance Program
$12,689 to purchase a food pantry
Sarah’s House
$25,000 to benefit childcare for homeless families
Rebuilding Together
$39,500 for Stillmeadows spruce ups
HOPE for All
$15,760 to buy furniture for former homeless households
i5 Serve
$10,000 to buy a mobile food pantry
LDC impact
The Local Development Council was established in Anne Arundel County after the opening of Live! Casino & Hotel on June 6, 2012. Appointed by the County Executive, the Local Development Council consists of 15 members to serve and advise the County on recommendations for the distribution and expenditure of revenues raised at Live! Casino & Hotel through local impact grants.
Since its formation in 2012, the LDC has awarded nearly $130 Million in grants towards schools, public safety, county operational and capital programs, and community grants.
Community based organizations and nonprofit groups located generally within a three-mile radius of Live! Casino & Hotel are eligible to apply for a local impact grant.
About Live! Casino & Hotel
Live! Casino & Hotel is one of the largest commercial casinos in the country, located in the Washington DC/Baltimore corridor, just off I-95, Route 100 and the B/W Parkway at Arundel Mills. Open 24/7/365, the property features more than 200 live action table games, including a Poker Room; approximately 4,000 slot machines; two High Limit rooms; and the Orchid Gaming & Smoking Patio. Guests can enjoy five-star accommodations, including 310 luxury guest rooms; the Live! Spa; world-class dining, featuring the Zagat-rated #1 steakhouse The Prime Rib®; David’s, a 24-hour café; Bobby’s Burger Palace, from celebrated chef Bobby Flay; The Cheesecake Factory®; Luk Fu and 8 at Luk Fu, serving authentic sushi and Asian cuisine; Morty’s Deli; Latin cuisine at En Vivo; Phillips® Seafood Express; and Luckies, offering Starbucks coffee, pastries, and Italian gelato; and a sizzling nightlife, including nightly entertainment at Live! Center Stage; the R Bar; and The Lobby Bar at David’s. A 4,000-seat Event Center, opening in two phases, featuring 40,000-square-feet of meeting and banquet space, and a performance venue with a regular lineup of headline entertainment completes the Live! experience. Enjoy secure covered parking with valet service and a free self-park garage with Park Assist® and direct elevator access to the casino floor. The newly-renovated Live! Lofts boutique hotel, located just minutes from the Casino, features 250 guest rooms and suites, and approximately 3,400-square-feet of meeting and banquet space. For reservations, call 443-445-2929, or book online at LiveCasinoHotel.com. Live! Casino & Hotel and Live! Lofts are owned and operated by a company that is affiliated with The Cordish Companies. Call 855-5MD-LIVE (855-563-5483); or visit LiveCasinoHotel.com or LiveCasino.social.
About The Cordish Companies
The Cordish Companies’ origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately-held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Commercial Real Estate; Entertainment Districts; Sports-Anchored Developments; Gaming; Hotels; Residential Properties; Restaurants; International Development; Coworking Spaces; and Private Equity. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. The Cordish Companies has developed and operates highly acclaimed dining, entertainment and hospitality destinations throughout the United States, many falling under The Cordish Companies’ Live! Brand, highly regarded as one of the premier entertainment brands in the country. Welcoming over 50 million visitors per year, these developments are among the highest profile dining, entertainment, gaming, hotel and sports-anchored destinations in the country. Over the generations, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family’s core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, long-term personal relationships and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created.
“The Cordish Companies,” “The Cordish Company” and “Cordish” are trademarks used under license by independent corporations, legal liability companies and partnerships (“Cordish Entities”). Each Cordish Entity is a separate, single-purpose legal entity that is solely responsible for its obligations and liabilities. No common operations or financial interdependency, and no intermingling of assets or liabilities of the Cordish Entities exists, or should be deemed to exist, as a result of the potential common reference to multiple independent entities operating under the names “Cordish,” “The Cordish Companies” or “The Cordish Company” here or elsewhere.
Source: The Cordish Companies
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SkinBaron remains a loyal partner to BIG and supports German esports across the Academy and women’s segments.
Berlin, September 11, 2025 – Berlin International Gaming (BIG) and SkinBaron have been closely connected since late 2019 and are now extending their partnership, continuing a success story that spans more than six years.
At a time when the Counter-Strike community, and in particular BIG’s CS2 men’s team, has experienced a challenging year, this extension sends an important signal: SkinBaron remains a loyal companion through every high and low. In addition to the pro team, SkinBaron also supports BIG’s Academy and women’s teams, helping to develop young talent and strengthen the scene in Germany.
Beyond the server, SkinBaron is deeply connected with the community. At the BIG Overtime Party during IEM Cologne 2025, SkinBaron once again served as an event partner, showcasing its close ties to the German esports community.
Statement from Daniel Finkler, CEO, Berlin International Gaming
“I am incredibly pleased and grateful that we are extending our long-standing partnership with SkinBaron. SkinBaron has been a vital part of our journey for over six years, both during successful and challenging times. My special thanks go to Tobias Andro as the new CEO, as well as to Florian Eckstein, Tobias Herberhold, Hannes Scholdz, and all other shareholders, employees, and partners at SkinBaron. They have brought this partnership to life over the years and actively shaped it. We are proud to move into the future together with such a loyal and authentic partner.”
Statement from Tobias Andro, CEO, SkinBaron
“Our partnership with BIG has stood for loyalty, trust, and collaboration on equal footing for over six years. Together, we share a vision of sustainably supporting the German esports scene and helping talent reach the top. This extension is therefore not only a commitment to our shared past, but above all a fresh start toward a future we want to shape side by side.”
The post SKINBARON SUPPORTS GERMAN ESPORTS AND EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH BIG appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The studio’s latest game blends nostalgic themes and engaging features
The vast plains are alive with the sound of rampant hooves, the roar of predators, and helpful animals along the way. ELA Games proudly presents its latest release, Buffalo Force, an energetic game that celebrates the sheer power of nature.
The Call of the Wild
In Buffalo Force, players roam alongside fearsome buffalo, fierce bears, cunning wolves, and soaring eagles as they work together to hunt for big rewards. The game features 3 energetic mechanics:
- Free Spins: Land 3 Scatter symbols to enter the game’s primary bonus feature. All Wilds pay 2x here.
- Hold & Win Bonus: Unlock this lucrative feature for a shot at powerful coin prizes and even a chance at one of the mighty jackpots!
- Jackpot: Three jackpots give you the chance for mega wins: Minor (25x), Major (100x), and Grand (1000x).
Each spin holds the spirit of the wilderness, blending high-action gameplay with the studio’s signature visually-rich aesthetics.
Join the Herd
Buffalo Force combines visually stunning animations, high-performance mechanics, and well-crafted environmental design to transport players to the heart of the North American wilderness. The studio’s attention to detail and storytelling prowess immerses players as they become part of the stampede, on the hunt for wild riches.
Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the release, “Buffalo Force represents the studio’s passion for creating visually striking and memorable games that players love. We focused a lot on the game’s visuals and environmental design to immerse players in the North American wild, which helps create an emotional connection and encourages high-performance engagement. We’re excited to see the reception Buffalo Force will receive, and we have many more exciting games in the works!”
Will You Answer the Call?
The raw wilderness is waiting for you. Will you join the herd and hunt for your fortunes and a life of freedom?
The post Answer the Call of the Wild: ELA Games Unveils Its Latest Game “Buffalo Force” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Norsk Tipping’s monopoly will continue, and enforcement tools such as payment and DNS blocking of unregulated operators are likely to remain in focus. While a shift to a licensing model appears unlikely this parliamentary term, the Progress Party’s stronger position as the main opposition keeps the reform debate active.
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The post Kongebonus statement: Norway’s election result signals gambling policy continuity, but licensing debate is set to intensify appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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