HANOVER, Md. (AP) — Attorneys are pursuing a class-action lawsuit against Maryland Live! Casino in Hanover, accusing its operators of using a dealer school as a prop for job training to avoid paying the minimum wage.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in federal court by three people who underwent months of training to become dealers at the casino last year. Attorneys say hundreds more qualify as plaintiffs in the lawsuit and can join the litigation.

The lawsuit accuses Maryland Live! of disguising job training as a school in partnership with Anne Arundel County Community College, and telling potential dealers they were fortunate the training courses were free.

Casino spokeswoman Carmen Gonzales says the lawsuit is “wholly without merit” and that the casino will vigorously fight its claims.

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