Watch CBS News

Maryland Live Casino Announces Expansion Plans

ARUNDEL MILLS, Md. (WJZ) -- Betting on the future. Maryland's highest-grossing casino will get bigger with a massive new hotel, more restaurants and a conference space. It's trying to stay ahead of the coming MGM gaming complex coming to the Inner Harbor.

Investigator Mike Hellgren has more on who's paying for this.

The Cordish Company is putting up private funds and there's a $22.5 million bond the county council approved. That will be funded through the revenue from the new hotel and convention space.

While this comes at a crucial time for the casino, not everyone's happy about the congestion it will bring.

Maryland Live Casino is betting big on its future with a $150 million expansion, including a hotel that will be Anne Arundel County's tallest building and a conference center that will seat 4,000 people.

"I live down the street so I'm affected by the same decisions that I voted on last night so I'm in no way, shape or form advocating that we do something that's not going to positively impact us," said Anne Arundel County Councilmember Pete Smith.

The bottom line is it could keep Maryland Live afloat. Last month, the casino took in $52.1 million, the highest in the state. Still, that's down around nine percent from the year before. And next year the odds get tougher with MGM opening a mega-casino at National Harbor, possibly siphoning off DC customers.

"It is a state-wide effort and I think we can do that, given our visibility here," said MGM CEO Jim Murren.

It's not just Maryland Live. The area around Baltimore's Horseshoe Casino is ripe for redevelopment with a push for retail and restaurants. The casino is considering opening its own hotel.

In August, the Horseshoe took in $27.5 million.

Back at Maryland Live, there's another concern: congestion around Arundel Mills.

"I think it's bad now and to have something like that already approved is pretty crazy," said Gianni Seibood.

"Well, are we going to do things to mitigate that? This is a wise decision, sort of a wise investment," Smith said.

The stakes are high with the casino doubling down on what's ahead.

Councilman Smith says he will push the state to put in a new ramp at Rt. 100. They will also be widening a number of roads.

The MGM Casino at National Harbor is scheduled to open next fall.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.