Published on: January 6, 2025, 12:03h.
Last updated on: January 6, 2025, 12:03h.
MGM Resorts International spent more than $755K on lobbying efforts opposing a push to allow a commercial casino resort in Northern Virginia. The Las Vegas-based gaming giant also contributed to Virginia lawmakers who opposed legislation to authorize controversial slot-like gaming machines in the commonwealth.
MGM operates MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, MD. The Maryland resort is just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., and Virginia’s Alexandria.
Northern Virginia’s Patch tallied political spending by MGM last year and found that the casino company gave over $755K to efforts opposing…products
No NoVA Casino
Virginia state Sen. David Marsden (D-Fairfax) introduced legislation last year that would have designated Tysons as a permissible location for a commercial casino. While the bill didn’t gain many backers in Richmond, several unions in the DC metro expressed their support for a gaming destination in Northern Virginia.
Marsden’s push, which was in conjunction with regional real estate developer Comstock Companies, did see much opposition. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, numerous homeowners associations, local municipality governments, and more than 100…allowed within a half-mile of any church or daycare.
MGM helped bankroll the grassroots opposition, including the No Tysons Casino Coalition. Campaign finance records show MGM paid almost $500K to a public relations firm to oppose Marsden’s bill. The casino company also spent over $222K on six lobbyists based in Richmond.
The contributions also worked to oppose Senate Bill 212, legislation that would have authorized certain skill games in businesses holding licenses from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority. The measure was ultimately…being among its most crucial assets in its portfolio.
MGM National Harbor is among the top-grossing casinos outside of Las Vegas. It’s MGM’s second-largest gaming floor outside of China’s Macau at 159K square feet. Only Borgata in Atlantic City is larger at 218K square feet.
MGM National Harbor has 2,500 slots, 160 live dealer table games, and a BetMGM Sportsbook. The hotel has 308 rooms.
In 2022, no casino outside of Las…Resorts World New York City at more than $900 million.