Maryland’s New MGM Casino Resort to open December 8

Attention gamblers all across the midsection of the United States’ east coast – there’s a new playground coming to the area, and with a $1.4 billion price tag, and it’s sure to be a grand one. On Thursday, December 8, a new casino resort will open it’s doors for the very first time.

Managers of MGM Resorts International announced the date of the grand opening on Monday, confirming the highly anticipated launch of MGM National Harbor just two months from now. Situated along the banks of the Potomac River in Maryland, it’s just a hop and a skip (or a quick ferry ride) from Washington D.C.

MGM Casino Exactly 3 Years in the Making

In December of 2013, exactly three years from the company’s projected opening date, MGM casino developers won the bid for a license to build a new casino in Prince George’s County. MGM’s $925 million proposal (later increased to $1.2bn before topping out at $1.4bn), won over state regulators and community leaders, beating out other major casino resort developers like Penn National Gaming, who wanted to build a $700mm casino at its Rosecroft Raceway.

Construction on the new casino property began in April of 2014, destined to feature a 24-story hotel tower with 308 guest rooms, eight restaurants (including the celebrity chef variety), a spa, retail outlets, a large theater, ample meeting and events space, a 4,800-space parking garage and – of course – 135,000 square feet worth of gaming space, equipped with around 3,300 slot machines.

Welcome to MGM National Harbor Casino Resort

MGM National Harbor Casino Resort

“We’re almost ready. Are you?” reads an official statement on the MGM National Harbor website. “On December 8th, we’re changing the game for the DMV (DC, Maryland Virginia area). Expereince[sic] MGM National Harbor, a world class luxury gaming resort just minutes from Washington, D.C on the banks of the Potomac River.”

Guests are invited to “take it all in”, reserving one of the new casino’s beautifully accented hotel rooms, which range anywhere in size from 400 to 3,210 square feet. Visitors can whet their appetite with everything from casual American cuisine at the local TAP Sports Bar, to exquisite delicacies by celebrity chefs José Andrés, Marcus Samuelsson, and Bryan and Michael Voltaggio.

MGM National Harbor promises to host “the entertainment industry’s biggest acts and events” in its intimate theater, boasting a partnership with entertainment booking giant Live Nation. The company is bringing Las Vegas-style nightlife to the east coast with “tableside mixology” at the indoor/outdoor Felt Bar & Lounge, while art aficionados will be able to explore the Heritage Collection throughout the property, featuring the locally inspired works of famous artists, new and old.

Those who’ve been lucky enough to catch a real glimpse inside the new casino resort say it’s truly unbelievable what MGM’s architectural geniuses have put together. The only downside for eager out-of-town visitors is that the hotel won’t open quite as soon as the rest of the newest MGM casino property.

Despite the resort officially opening its doors to the public two days prior, MGM National Harbor won’t begin accepting reservations for in the hotel until Saturday, December 10. All of the resorts other amenities – spa, salon, pools, theater, shopping center, art work, etc. – will be accessible on opening day, December 8.