Las Vegas on the Potomac: Casino Proposed for National Harbor

• February 17th 2012

by UrbanTurf Staff

Slots? Blackjack? Roulette? If one Prince George’s County official gets his way, all those vices may eventually be just outside the DC borders.

On Thursday night, a $1 billion casino for National Harbor was proposed by P.G. County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, The Washington Post reported. Baker, once an opponent of slots, believes that the casino could produce “much-needed tax revenue” for the county and state.

The proposal is well-timed as legislation to add a sixth gaming site in Maryland and allow table games like blackjack, craps and roulette was introduced in the state assembly in recent weeks. Naturally, however, there is both support and vocal opposition to the project.

From the Post:

Jonathan Weaver, pastor at Greater Mount Nebo AME Church in Bowie, said he was dismayed by Baker’s proposal. “Who is he listening to? The citizens of Prince George’s County or other people who don’t live in this county who are trying to profit off the backs of people who live here?” he asked. “People are absolutely furious.”

In a statement Thursday, National Harbor’s developer, the Peterson Cos., and Gaylord Entertainment, the owner of the largest hotel on the property, said they “fully and enthusiastically embrace [Baker’s] proposal and are committed to facilitating such a development.”

Located in Prince George’s County almost directly across the river from Old Town, Alexandria, National Harbor opened in 2008 to much fanfare. The vision of Milton Peterson, a Northern Virginia real estate mogul who was behind the redevelopment of downtown Silver Spring, National Harbor is anchored by the Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center, a 2,000-room hotel with over 470,000 square feet of meeting space.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/las_vegas_on_the_potomac_casino_proposed_for_national_harbor/5156.