5 Casinos near DC (and Beyond) Worth Visiting

 5 Casinos in DC (and Beyond), Worth Your Attention

1. MGM National Harbor

Are you looking for money? The newest casino in the region is also the most glitzy. However, the minimum table-game requirements on weekends are often $100 per roll. It is difficult to get into the parking garage, and many patrons complain that it is cramped on the casino floor. There are 3,139 slot machines and 163 table games. The casino is difficult to access from other parts of National Harbor. This is a major disappointment. It is still the best place for people-watching. A recent visit saw a crowd gather around a $100 minimum-limit roulette table, watching former NBA star Allen Iverson. The casino is brighter than Live Casino & Hotel and has many great restaurants, such as Voltaggio Brothers Steak House or Fish by Jose Andres. 101 MGM National Ave. Oxon hill; 301-971-5500.

2. Live Casino & Hotel

Live Casino & Hotel may be more of an outlet mall than the MGM, but it's all Fifth Avenue. Literally, it is right next to the sprawling Arundel Mills. You might visit this location if you don't have the confidence, bankroll or self-image to support MGM. David Cordish, owner of Live, gives away $100 bills late at night. Live has almost twice the amount of poker rooms than MGM's and more slot machines than MGM. Its most active game is a loud baccarat room that seems to always be crowded with spectators and players. MGM offers fancy steaks and fish, but Live's most popular restaurant is the Cheesecake Factory. The excellent noodle bar Luk Fu and Morty’s Delicatessen are also favorites. 7002 Arundel Mills Cir., Hanover; 443-842-7000.

3. Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races

Hollywood is mostly a live racetrack with several evenings per week. However, there is one important distinction: You can still smoke there. This place is up to you, depending on your tolerance for smoking. Charles Town is about an hour-and-a half drive from DC. If timed correctly. (US 340 can also back up on weekends at the two-lane bridge near Brunswick. There are no minimum requirements for table games at the Maryland casino. It seems that slot machines are now a generation behind. Hollywood has been cutting back on its 2,500-machine casino floor and is rebranding itself to be an event center. This fall, such acts as Pat Benatar or Three Dog Night will be coming to the city. The place is not great for eating, and the $54.99 Friday night crab-leg dinner buffet is too expensive. 580 E. Fifth Ave. Ranson (W. Va.); 800-795-7001

4. Horseshoe Baltimore

Horseshoe, located south of Ravens' football stadium has the smallest and most ineptly run of the area’s poker rooms. There are fewer slots than MGM Live Casino & Hotel. Horseshoe's unique feature is that you can wager on horse races all over the country. Horseshoe would have been an attractive destination if it were closer to the Inner Harbor. It is instead situated between dilapidated convenience shops and busy highways. Except when Ravens and Orioles are playing, parking is free. If that happens, parking will cost $40. Parking can be paid partially or completely for players who gamble more than a certain amount. Guy Fieri runs two restaurants offering Old Bay wings and crab soup. 1525 Russell St. Baltimore. 844-777-77463 5. Rocky Gap Casino Resort

130 miles away from DC

This resort is more known for its golf, canoeing and spa. The casino is small with only 662 machines. However, the drive is beautiful. 16701 Lakeview Rd. NE Flintstone, Md. 301-784-8400. how to get the nearest casino