BERLIN – As of Jan. 4 the games are on at The Casino at Ocean Downs. That Tuesday, Gov. Martin O’Malley and several state and local dignitaries will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to help inaugurate the $45 million gaming facility on Route 589 in Berlin.

The casino features more than 700 video lottery terminals (slot machines), nearly 34,000 square feet of gaming space and new food and beverage offerings.

“The Location Commission is thrilled with the announced opening of the slots facility at Ocean Downs,” said Donald C. Fry, chairman of the Maryland Video Lottery Facility Location Commission.

“We were impressed with the plans for the site and are confident that this world-class entertainment facility will be a tremendous asset to the Eastern Shore and the entire state of Maryland.”

More than 200 new employees, most who live in the areas around the Casino at Ocean Downs, have been hired and trained in anticipation of the opening day.

“Our team is energized and ready to provide our guests with a fun and memorable gaming experience,” said Joe Cavilla, general manager of the Casino at Ocean Downs.

The casino’s Maryland Lottery Controlled Demonstration will be held on Dec. 29. Nearly 1,000 American Legion members have been invited to the private event to test the slots and try out the customer service skills of the casino staff.

“The Jan. 4 opening is a testament to the dedication of our construction team and staff working to bring this gaming experience to the people of Maryland,” Cavilla said. “We ran into some challenging construction delays – some bad weather, for example – that threatened to push back our opening.

“Thanks to the nearly non-stop work of our staff, we are able to open very close to our target date, and – most import – we have not compromised on quality to do so. Our guests will see that from the moment they hit the casino floor.”

The Casino at Ocean Downs offers an entertainment facility with more than 700 slot machines and 40 days of live seasonal harness racing. Ocean Downs Racetrack is entering its 62nd consecutive year of night racing and continues to draw some of the biggest audiences for harness racing in the U.S. For information, visit www.oceandowns.com.