BALTIMORE-Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker says the MGM Resorts International's casino proposal at National Harbor was hands down the best choice in the competition to secure the county's casino license.

The County Executive, speaking after the Maryland Video Lottery Terminal Location Commission awarded MGM Resorts the casino license on Friday, praised the other bidders, but said that none compared to the MGM proposal, according to the Baltimore Business Journal.

“For one, the infrastructure is already in place,” he said. “Two, the ability to have such a great view and to work with a company like MGM, which is a known brand and also has signature entertainment that they can bring to the Washington region. So I think the combination of the site, the company and the people they would bring in made it the best opportunity.”

When asked how the MGM Casino at National Harbor will fare against other casinos, County Executive Baker said, “My unbiased opinion is we're going to have the best site on the East Coast.” He added that the patrons of the casino will likely come from the Washington, DC region, and Northern Virginia, so it must not only compete with gaming destinations in the area, but also those located in Atlantic City, Las Vegas and eventually casinos in New York State. Therefore, he says the MGM casino must be a destination resort. “It can't simply be about table games and slot machines, it's got to be more,” he said. See story in the Baltimore Business Journal.