MGM National Harbor at Capacity During Opening Week

Last Thursday at 10:30 pm, MGM National Harbor opened its doors to the public for the very first time, and by 11 am on Friday a total of 50,000 people had visited the $1.4 billion casino resort located just 10 miles southeast of Washington, DC.
In fact, such was the venue’s popularity that Prince George’s County police were forced to deal with backed up traffic leading from Interstate 495 into the casino complex, and for the next 45 days around 195 police officers have now been tasked with managing the elevated levels of traffic.
Similarly, on Friday MGM management was so overwhelmed by floods of visitors to its casino that the company had to issue a warning encouraging people to stay away for now, unless they had already made a reservation. As MGM’s message on social media explained:
“Due to an overwhelming response after our successful Thursday grand opening, the MGM National Harbor casino floor again reached capacity during the day on Friday. Guests with hotel and dinner reservations are encouraged to arrive early..Others without reservations for tonight or this weekend are encouraged to consider making plans to visit the new resort another time.”
It was not just the casino that was filled to capacity, though, as the resort’s 308 bedrooms, which have nightly prices ranging from $399 to $599, were also filled to the brim. Nevertheless, many people visiting MGM National Harbor were there not to gamble, but instead to visit the resort’s other entertainment offerings, including its restaurants, and theater. Highlighting that point, an MGM spokeswoman commented:
“You don’t even have to step foot inside the casino to enjoy the resort. You have to remember, we’re an entertainment company more than we’re a gaming company.”
For how long Maryland’s 6th casino can maintain its current level of excitement remains to be seen, though, but a clearer picture of the resort’s potential should become more apparent once the initial hoopla subsides.