As reported by: Memphis Business Journal
Hollywood Casino is placing its bets on a long-running Memphis tradition, the AXA Liberty Bowl Football Classic.

This year's is the 45th, and on New Year's Eve Conference USA champs Southern Mississippi will face off against Mountain West champs Utah.

Hollywood Casino will be a sponsor of this year's Classic, to be held Dec. 31 at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Hollywood has been a sponsor of the classic for the past four years.

The Liberty Bowl supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in a partnership that's also in its 45th year.

Through its subsidiaries, Hollywood owns and operates a riverboat casino and entertainment facility in Aurora, Ill., a destination gaming resort located in Shreveport, La., and a casino, hotel and entertainment complex in Tunica. The Tunica resort employs more than 1,200 of the company's overall 2,700 employees.

Pre-game festivities include a pro rodeo on Dec. 29, a Beale Street parade and a black tie gala with Lou Rawls on Dec. 30.

Other local events, such as The Hollywood Casino/St. Jude Red Carpet Bash, the Marguerite Piazza Gala and the FedEx St. Jude Classic also support St. Jude's work in seeking cures for catastrophic diseases affecting children.

Hollywood is owned by Wyomissing, Pa.-based Penn National Gaming, a leading owner and operator of casinos, race tracks and off-track betting facilities in seven states and Canada. The company has been named twice to Fortune Magazine's list of fastest growing companies.