MGM Resorts lobbies against Virginia skill games, casinos

Posted: January 6, 2025, 12:03 pm.

Last updated: January 6, 2025, 12:25 pm.

MGM Resorts International spent over $755K on lobbying efforts in opposition to allowing 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 across the Potomac River from Washington, DC and Alexandria VA.

northern virginia patch Political spending by MGM was tallied last year and found the casino company gave more than $755K to efforts to oppose the Nova Casino and Skill Games in Tysons until the Virginia Supreme Court considers closing the terminals in 2023. Many small businesses throughout the Commonwealth operated inside. Gambling becomes illegal.

no nova casino

Virginia State Senator David Marsden (D-Fairfax) introduced legislation last year that would designate Tysons as a permitted location for a commercial casino. While the bill did not receive much support in Richmond, several unions in the DC metro area expressed their support for a gaming destination in Northern Virginia.

MGM helped control grassroots opposition, including the No Tysons Casino Coalition. Campaign finance records show that MGM paid a public relations firm nearly $500K to oppose Marsden's bill. The casino company spent more than $222K on six Richmond-based lobbyists.

Contributions also worked to oppose Senate Bill 212, which would have authorized certain skill games in businesses holding a license from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority. The measure was ultimately defeated by Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who vetoed the legislation after the General Assembly refused to follow his changes, which would have included a 35-mile buffer zone from any casino, racetrack and historic horse racing facility. And restrictions were involved. When the games are located within half a mile of a church or daycare.

important property

MGM Resorts spending more than $750,000 in opposition to further gaming expansion in Virginia is a good bet, as its National Harbor Casino is one of the most significant properties in its portfolio.

MGM National Harbor is one of the highest-grossing casinos outside Las Vegas. It is MGM's second largest gaming floor outside of Macau, China at 159K square feet. Only the Borgata in Atlantic City is larger at 218K square feet.

MGM National Harbor features 2,500 slots, 160 live dealer table games and a BetMGM Sportsbook. The hotel has 308 rooms.

In 2022, no casino outside Las Vegas won more money from gamblers than MGM National Harbor, about $884.5 million. In 2023, MGM National Harbor had gross gaming revenues (GGR) of approximately $825 million, second only to Resorts World New York City with over $900 million.