National Harbor near D.C. looks to get a major casino

USATODAY

Looks like a full-blown casino -- maybe from a big player on the Vegas scene -- is in the cards for the Washington, D.C., area.

Tuesday, Maryland voters appear to have approved the controversial Question 7, which would allow table games with dealers and a new gaming facility in Prince George's County (the margin was 52% for the proposal this a.m.). Currently the state's few casinos have slots and electronic table games, which don't draw patrons as well as the kind with dealers. The measure was vehemently opposed by giant Penn National Gaming, which runs the Hollywood Casino in West Virginia. It has table games and draws heavily from the D.C. area.

Penn and MGM Resorts International, which is interested in building a reported $800 million facility at National Harbor in Prince George's County, spent millions on dueling ads against and for Question 7.

The big winner could be the National Harbor complex, across the Potomac from Alexandra, Va., and a short drive to downtown D.C. It already is home to a huge Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, which now is in the Marriott stable.

Laurie Goldstein, a Marriott spokeswoman, told me this morning that it has no relationship with MGM on this, that "we were neutral on Question 7" and "if a new (gaming) hotel goes in, we will be neighbors. ... It's no different than other cities that have gambling (and Marriott hotels nearby)." Marriott does have Caribbean resorts with gaming and it does have an additional property, a Residence Inn, at National Harbor.

So far today, no comment from MGM on its plans.

Today'sWashington Business Journal reports that bidding for a new casino could begin as soon as January, and that Penn National could wind up anteing up also, facing MGM. But Penn National was eyeing a nearby locale, the Rosecroft Raceway horse-racing venue, the Business Journal says. This morning the Las Vegas Review-Journal quoted Penn as saying it would challenge the election results. A Penn statement questioned "the validity of the outcome."

"MGM wants to build a casino at National Harbor in partnership with The Peterson Cos., an $800 million gaming parlor," it says. "Penn National wants to build one at Rosecroft Raceway instead. State law prohibits more than one casino in the county."

The new casino could not open until 2016 or until 30 days after one opened in Baltimore, the Journal says.

Readers, would you be attracted by a full-fledged casino in the D.C. area?