Maryland state legislators failed to agree on approving an MGM hotel-casino in the National Harbor development along the Potomac River, but MGM said it will continue to pursue approval for the project.
“Our interest in National Harbor is unabated,” said MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren. “We remain willing to work together toward this goal, to offer input when asked, as the state deals with the recommendations of the state of Maryland’s working group.”
The "working group" put together by Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley agreed to allow blackjack and other table games at the state’s other five casinos but backed off on support for the National Harbor project, according to the Washington Post.
Without consensus from the group, the July 9 special legislative session set aside for the potential approval of the MGM hotel isn’t likely to take place, the Post said.
MGM Resorts said earlier this week that it reached an agreement with National Harbor developer Peterson Cos. to build a property that would include 250 table games, about 4,000 slot machines and a luxury hotel. MGM didn’t say how many rooms the hotel would have.
“If there’s an opportunity to revisit the recommendation not to move forward, we would welcome that so we can bring a world-class destination resort-casino to Prince George’s County,” said Peterson Cos. principal Milt Peterson.
Peterson added that he was “disappointed in the outcome.”
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