McKay and Czapski said the casino could create a market for new hotels to open in the region. Instead of ‘Build it and they will come,’ it’s ‘Build it and let’s make it profitable.’ And then they can build more.” “But being a business owner myself, it just makes common sense. “I definitely was disappointed that a $65 million project got scaled back,” McKay said. Market conditions forced Evitts to scale down its plans from about 850 slot machines to 558. It was built to have that rustic lodge look to blend in with the lake and state park.” But they’ve kept a natural feel for the lodge. The resort employs about 350 workers full-time, and 500 total. “Seeing the finished product now, they’re doing it right. “It was a burden on the taxpayers,” said Stuart Czapski, executive director of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce. But the resort, which opened in 1998, never gained traction as a destination, losing millions of dollars and struggling to pay off the debt owed to bondholders. The state spent $54 million to create the golf resort and conference center in hopes of attracting tourists to Western Maryland and spurring economic development there. Last year, Evitts closed a deal to acquire Rocky Gap, just off Interstate 68, from the Maryland Economic Development Corp.

Maryland’s casinos, including the Casino at Ocean Downs in Worcester County, brought in $58.9 million in revenue in April.įuture casinos are planned for Baltimore and Prince George’s County.

Rocky Gap is the state’s third casino to offer table games, joining Maryland Live Casino in Anne Arundel County and Hollywood Casino Perryville in Cecil County. Just said the casino’s core market consists of people within an hour’s drive, but “our outer core is certainly 200 miles plus,” a radius that encompasses Baltimore, Washington and Pittsburgh. But for those staying a few days, he said, they may want to eat at local restaurants in town” or visit tourist sites. “We plan on integrating into the community,” Just said. Baltimore Sun eNewspaper Home Page Close Menu

Rocky gap casino table games