Maryland approves contract to buy slot machines for Cecil

The slots parlor, dubbed Hollywood Casino Perryville, is set to become the first of its kind in the state since the one-armed bandits were legalized in a 2008 referendum.

The casino’s owner, Penn National Gaming, has been working on hiring 350 people to staff the casino. The contract approved Wednesday allows the state to move forward on buying the slot machines that will fill the facility.

Wyomissing, Pa.-based Penn National (NASDAQ: PENN) said last month preparations were moving swiftly enough that the project could open ahead of schedule. It was set to open in the fourth quarter of this year.

The contract was broken up among six contractors, as follows:

• $21.6 million to IGT;

• $12 million to Bally Gaming;

• $9.6 million to Spielo Manufacturing;

• $6.2 million to Aristocrat Technologies;

• $700,000 to Shuffle Master; and,

• $300,000 to KGM Gaming.