Gambling has been around for thousands of years, which is a well-known fact. However, the first casinos in the form we know today did not appear until the 17th century in Venice. This industry exploded in the United States following World War II, when Las Vegas established itself as the world’s gambling Mecca. The Venetian Las Vegas pioneered the concept of a megaresort in 1999, and the travel and hospitality industries have never been the same since.

Over the last three decades, gambling hotspots have evolved from places where unsavory people congregate to family-friendly attractions with first-rate live entertainment and upscale food options. Casinos have evolved into much more than opulent settings where customers can play blackjack or spin slot machines. In their design, they include fitness centers, spas, and all of the other amenities found in five-star hotels. This does not include the attractions built around these locations to capitalize on the increased foot traffic generated by these locations.

Maryland isn’t quite on par with Nevada or New Jersey in terms of gambling, but the Free State was the first in the country to legalize casinos in 2008, and there are currently six of these establishments that you can visit without leaving the state. They are all of the highest calibers and provide the same thrilling experiences as those found in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The three nearest to the South Maryland region as a whole are listed below. If the only thing you intend to do when you go there is trying your luck, you might as well practice online first.

Casino & Hotel Live!

The Live! Casino & Hotel is a gambling institution that can be found in the Arundel Mills commercial neighborhood of Hanover. It first opened its doors to the public in the year 2012. The land that is immediately adjacent to Arundel Mills Mall is owned by the real estate development business Cordish Companies, which has its headquarters in Baltimore. Its gaming floor spans a total area of 160,000 square feet and features a total of 200 table games in addition to a large number of video slot machines that have been produced by high-end manufacturers such as Aristocrat. The poker room at Live! Casino & Hotel spans an area of 15,000 square feet and features a total of 50 gaming tables.

The Prime Rib at Live! Casino & Hotel, Phillips Seafood Express, Eight at Luk Fu, Luckies, Bobby’s Burger Palace, En Vivo!, the Cheesecake Factory, David’s Restaurant, and Morty’s Delicatessen are just a few of the restaurants that can be found on the premises. Live! Center Stage is an adjustable area that spans 4,000 square feet and is equipped with a multi-plasma video wall. This room regularly plays host to concerts. You can go to this site if you wish to view live entertainment, and it will be available there. Customers can enjoy live music at David’s Restaurant in either the R Bar or the Lobby Bar, which are both located on the premises.

The Guinness Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House, the Medieval Times Maryland Castle, the National Electronics Museum, and Lake Elkhorn Park are some of the attractions that are within 10 miles of the casino.

National Harbor and MGM National Harbor

The MGM National Harbor casino and resort is located on Oxon Hill. It is a division of MGM Resorts International that accurately depicts the environment as well as Prince George’s County’s extensive history. Construction on this MGM facility, which was estimated to cost $1.2 billion, began in April of 2014, and it did not open until December of the following year.

The resort is a massive structure that spans five city blocks. It includes a 24-story, four-star hotel with a 27,000-square-foot spa and a parking garage with 5,000 spaces. The MGM National Harbor’s gaming area is 125,000 square feet, which can accommodate 2,800 slot machines and 140 game tables. This latter figure excludes the 46 poker sites that consistently offer cash games and tournaments.

The National Harbor has eight gourmet restaurants and eight eateries with more casual fare. Osteria Costa, Voltaggio Brothers Steakhouse, and Fish by José Andrés are among the city’s most prestigious restaurants. Customers can get a refreshing drink at the Blossom Cocktail Lounge, the Felt Bar & Lounge, or the Tap Sports Club & Bar. The 3,000-seat theater at the venue frequently hosts world-class performances produced by MGM Resorts International Entertainment.

The Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, the Torpedo Factory Art Center, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, and the Capital Wheel are all excellent day trip options in the National Harbor neighborhood.

Ocean Downfalls

The final one, Ocean Downs, is a little bit of a stretch because Worcester County, Maryland, does not generally agree with the terminology of Southern Maryland, even though it is geographically located in Southern Maryland. This means that Ocean Downs is a little bit of a stretch. Despite this fact, it is included on the list because Churchill Downs owns the harness racing track that can be found there. The committee that is in charge of putting together the Kentucky Derby each year.

The construction of this arena, which at the time was situated in Berlin, got underway in the year 1947. Ocean City can be found nearby. On the other hand, the casino did not begin operating until 2011 after it was first constructed. As a consequence of an expansion that was finished in 2017, it currently possesses a gaming floor that is around 70,000 square feet in size. In addition to it, there are currently 900 slot machines and 10 table games available there. A facility that does not allow smoking and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week except Sundays is described here. Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays are the days that the races are held.

While watching the horses race or spinning the wheels of a slot machine, you can satisfy your hunger at one of these three restaurants: Dine & Dash, Poseidon’s Pub, or Pacers. Other fun things to do in Berlin include excursions to Assateague State Park and the Windmill Creek Vineyard, as well as rounds of golf at the Rum Pointe Seaside course. Both of these destinations are in the surrounding area.