Thanks to new vaccine booster clinics, you can get vaccinated with your roll of the dice, pull of the slot machine or your day’s sports bets.
Thanks to a new state initiative, all six casinos in Maryland have begun hosting clinics.
Gov. Larry Hogan on Thursday announced the latest plans to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the Maryland Department of Health will offer both vaccination and booster shots at Maryland’s casinos.
The first resort will begin offering its clinic on Friday, February 18. The other five will begin opening their temporary clinics over the following eight days.
But Marylanders can do more than just get protected against the coronavirus. They can also take part in the $2 million VaxCash 2.0 Promotion with the Maryland Lottery.
Dates and hours for MD casino vaccine booster clinics
Ocean Downs Casino was first up for the booster clinics. The Berlin casino opened its clinic for business on Friday at noon.
However, different casinos have different hours, so be sure to double-check the times below.
All casino vaccination clinics offer walk-ins and appointments. Still, it may not also be a bad idea to give the casino a call beforehand to make sure they’re ready for you.
Here are the full dates and hours for the clinics at MD casinos:
Ocean Downs Casino (Berlin)
- Starts: Feb. 18
- Open: Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 6 p.m.
Live! Casino and Hotel in Hanover
- Starts: Feb. 19
- Open: Daily from 12 to 5 p.m.
MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill
- Starts: Feb. 24
- Open: Thursdays and Fridays from 12 to 6 p.m.
Horseshoe Baltimore Casino in Baltimore
- Starts: Feb. 24
- Open: Thursdays and Fridays from 12 to 6 p.m.
Hollywood Casino Perryville in Perryville
- Starts: Feb. 24
- Open: Thursdays and Fridays from 12 6 p.m.
Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone
- Starts: Feb. 26
- Open: Thursdays and Fridays from 12 to 6 p.m.
Marylanders eligible for $2 million vax promotion
In addition to protecting your health from a nasty virus, vaccination efforts can be fruitful in other ways.
In fact, it can be downright profitable.
Here’s a quick rundown of the VaxCash 2.0 Promotion from the MD Lottery:
“To incentivize more Marylanders to get COVID-19 booster shots, the $2 Million VaxCash 2.0 Promotion will award $2 million in cash prizes to Maryland residents who have received initial doses and booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine at eligible locations in Maryland. A total of 12 Marylanders will win cash prizes in drawings that will be held each Tuesday from February 15, 2022, through May 3, 2022.”
To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old. Also, you must have received an initial dose and booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at non-Federal facilities in Maryland. (However, shots received at the US Department of Veterans Affairs do count for the VaxCash 2.0 Promotion.
Once you receive the shots, you’re automatically entered.
The first drawing took place on February 15 with a $500,000 prize. The next 10 weekly drawings will each award a $50,000 prize.
Then, a grand prize drawing will take place on May 3 with a $1 million prize.
Not a casino fan? No problem
If you’re not interested in a trip to the casino for your shots, no worries.
State officials are quick to remind Maryland residents that more than 550 pharmacies, clinics and other locations across Maryland currently offer COVID-19 primary and booster shots.
You can visit covidvax.maryland.gov to find a vaccination clinic.
Additionally, the state’s multilingual call center, 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829), is available seven days a week.
