Baltimore-D.C. Beats Out NYC for Fourth-Largest Gaming Market

The Baltimore-D.C. area has outpaced the New York City gaming market to become the fourth-largest in the country. Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Chicago are the top three gaming destinations in the United States.

While some cities in the United States have reported that their gaming markets have declined, Baltimore isn’t one of them. In fact, the market has quickly climbed the ladder to become one of the top gaming destinations in the United States. The gaming markets in the United States accounted for $40 billion in gaming revenue in 2017, which was a record year.

Casinos in the Baltimore-D.C. Area

Casinos in the Baltimore-D.C. area, which includes parts of Maryland and West Virginia, had the largest year-over-year increase. The region logged in approximately $1.8 billion in 2017. The six Maryland casinos grew 34 percent from 2016 to 2017. The casino industry in Maryland is a large economic driver for the state, with more than 15,000 employees and $712 million in wages.

The majority of the increase in revenue came from the MGM National Harbor casino, which made up more than 38 percent of the state’s casino revenue, at $608 million. Many state officials were elated over the revenue increase.

But, research indicates that while the MGM National Harbor attracted visitors from out of state and gained revenue, other Maryland casinos have lost revenue. For example, two casinos located relatively close to the MGM National Harbor saw substantial reductions in revenue. Maryland Live! Casino saw a 16.6 percent decrease in one month, and the Horseshoe Casino had a 16.3 percent drop in its revenue.

While, overall, the casinos have made the Baltimore-D.C. market a great market to be, each casino has unique characteristics that make it stand apart from the other casinos in the area. A sampling of the casinos in the area provides examples of why the Baltimore market is the fourth-largest markets in the United States.

MGM National Harbor

MGM National Harbor

Many people have said the MGM National Harbor is the place to go in the Baltimore-D.C. area to gamble. Because it is new, it is also very glitzy and luxurious. While the casino floor is one of the largest in the area, many gamers have complained that it feels cramped because of the number of slot machines and table games on the floor. The VIP gaming rooms are much less crowded. Customers have also said the casino is crowded on the weekends. And, because it is crowded, it is difficult to find a table game with a limit of under $100. However, gamers have raved about the quality of its restaurants, including Fish by Jose Andres and Voltaggio Brothers Steak House.

Live! Casino and Hotel

Live! Casino and Hotel

The MGM National Harbor has been attracting a glamorous crowd looking for a high-roller scene. The Live Casino and Hotel, on the other hand, is for those who want to gamble without attracting people watchers – or people with bodyguards. In contrast to the MGM, Live! Which is next to an outlet mall, that has more slots. And, the casino’s room for poker is twice the size of the room at the MGM. While the most active game at the gaming tables at many casinos is poker, at Live! It is baccarat. This has become the draw for the casino, and its tables are usually packed with spectators and players. If you want to eat, Live offers more standard fare than the MGM, with a noodle bar and a delicatessen.

The area has numerous racetracks that have slot machines, as well as other well-run casinos. But, the MGM National Harbor and Live are the top two casinos in a region rapidly growing in the gaming world.

Disclaimer: All images are copyright to their respective owners and are used by USA Online Casino for informational purposes only.

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Jean Carter is from Oakland, California and studied jewelry design at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco, California. After graduation, and pining for a warmer climate, Jean relocated to the Tule Springs suburb of Las Vegas, where she owns and operates her own online jewelry boutique incorporating traditional native American styles with her own unique designs. A true fan of the sophistication and glamor of Las Vegas casino life, Jean is also a freelance blogger specializing in all things suave and fashionable surrounding the casino lifestyle.