Poll finds growth in negative views about gaming in Maryland

Monday, February 16, 2015

The Horseshoe Baltimore casino in Maryland opened in August 2014. Photo from The Baltimore Sun / Twitter

More voters in Maryland believe gaming has been a "bad thing" for the state, according to a new poll from The Washington Post and the University of Maryland.

According to the poll, 38 percent of voters had negative views about gaming. That's up from 27 percent in a 2012 poll.

Maryland is home to five casinos, including the $442 million Horseshoe Baltimore, the first urban gaming facility in the state. They generated $833 million in slot machine and table game revenue in the fiscal year that ended on September 30, 2014.

Artist's rendering of a gaming facility under construction near Washington, D.C. Image from MGM National Harbor

MGM Resorts International is building a $950 million casino at the National Harbor, a hotel, convention and entertainment complex that's less than 10 miles from the U.S. Capitol. The facility is due to open in the summer of 2016.

Maryland is home to several tribes with state recognition. None have been granted federal recognition so they can't engage in gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Get the Story:
In Maryland, more voters object to growing casino industry, poll finds (The Washington Post 2/16)
Maryland Casinos Revenues Come In Below Forecasts (AP 2/16)