“What it means in the minds of the consumer is entertainment, fun, a quality experience,” Pollock said. Resort visitors tend to stay longer and may or may not be focused on gaming, he said.īilled as a “Las Vegas-style” casino, MGM National Harbor will include shops, restaurants and a 3,000-seat theater that, in its opening months, will attract acts including Bruno Mars, Cher, Sting, Boyz II Men and comedian Jim Gaffigan. Unlike some other casino business models, MGM traditionally goes for grand, resort-style casinos, where gambling is just one of the attractions, Pollock said. “This would be a different bucket in terms of a consumer audience.” And there are students,” said Robin McClain, vice president of marketing and communications for the Destination DC marketing organization.

“We know families like to come - and people who like to learn about history. Tourism officials hope the casino attracts more foreign visitors to the area and perhaps a new category of visitor. “The majority of the traffic will be drive-in traffic,” Creighton said. Part of MGM’s calculation remains based on its bid to become a destination resort for overnight customers, including international guests, but many customers will come from just across the river. The state received $510 million in revenue sharing from casinos in the last fiscal year, making it Maryland’s fourth-largest source of funds after income, sales and corporate taxes.Ĭreighton said the region’s appetite for casinos is voracious enough to expand the market without taking a sizable chunk of business from Maryland Live and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, its closest competitors. Baltimore Sun eNewspaper Home Page Close Menu

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