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At Live! Casino’s new addition, ‘smoke ’em if you got ’em’

By Jeff Clabaugh

WASHINGTON — Live! Casino at Arundel Mills will open Maryland’s first outdoor gaming and smoking patio in mid-April.

The new 8,500 square-foot-space is entirely outside, though under the cover of trees and trellises. It features a first-class ventilation design that includes multiple fans throughout the floor and ceiling to circulate air, according to Live! Casino.

Because it is an outdoor space, it is not regulated by Maryland’s strict public indoor smoking laws.

The Orchid Gaming and Smoking Patio will include both table games and slots. It will also be the first in the state to offer “ticket in/ticket out” tables, meaning players can move between slots and table games without carrying chips to the main cage.

The patio will also include an extensive premium cigar program, lounge seating and exclusive bar.

The smoking patio is not confined to just cigars sold on premises, nor to just cigars. Cigarette and pipe smoking will also be allowed.

The Orchid Gaming & Smoking Patio will be open year-round, weather permitting. It includes a fire feature, water cascades throughout the space and gaming zones defined by ceiling canopies, trellises and sculptured trees.

There will be 12 table games, including blackjack, baccarat and roulette, 28 electronic table positions and more than 150 slot machines.

Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids

By The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms. “We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways,” said State Solicitor David Kravitz, adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content. Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit “would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions” and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.
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