Horseshoe Baltimore is an urban two-story
casino
A casino is a facility for gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos also host live entertainment, such as stand-up comedy, conce ...
, and the second largest casino in
Maryland
Maryland ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It borders the states of Virginia to its south, West Virginia to its west, Pennsylvania to its north, and Delaware to its east ...
with a 122,000-square-foot gaming floor.
[Rector, Kevin. "As Horseshoe Casino Rises, Officials Work behind the Scenes for Smooth Launch." Baltimore Sun. N.p., 22 Feb. 2014. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.] The $442-million facility features
video lottery terminals,
table games, and a
World Series of Poker
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is a series of poker tournaments held annually in Paradise, Nevada, and since 2004, sponsored by Eldorado Resorts, Caesars Entertainment. It dates its origins to 1970, when Benny Binion invited seven of the best ...
room. Horseshoe's 20,000-square-foot Baltimore Marketplace features
Charm City food outlets, three premier restaurants, and several bars and lounges.
["About Horseshoe Baltimore." Horseshoe Casino: About. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.]
Horseshoe is located along Russell Street on
Baltimore
Baltimore is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. With a population of 585,708 at the 2020 census and estimated at 568,271 in 2024, it is the 30th-most populous U.S. city. The Baltimore metropolitan area is the 20th-large ...
’s south side, neighboring professional sports venues
M&T Bank Stadium
M&T Bank Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It has been the home of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL) since its opening in 1998. The stadium is immediately adjacent to Oriol ...
, home of the NFL
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team plays its home g ...
, and
Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, commonly known as Camden Yards, is a ballpark in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the home of Major League Baseball (MLB)'s Baltimore Orioles, and the first of the Baseball park#Retro-classic ballparks, "retro" major le ...
, home of the MLB
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...
, as well as Baltimore’s
Inner Harbor
The Inner Harbor is a historic seaport, tourist attraction, and landmark in Baltimore, Maryland. It was described by the Urban Land Institute in 2009 as "the model for post-industrial waterfront redevelopment around the world". The Inner Harbo ...
.
The casino is owned by CBAC Gaming, a group led by
Caesars Entertainment
Caesars Entertainment, Inc., formerly Eldorado Resorts, Inc., is an American hotel and casino entertainment company founded and based in Reno, Nevada, that operates more than 50 properties. Eldorado Resorts acquired Caesars Entertainment Corpora ...
, and is managed by Caesars. Other members of the CBAC consortium include
Jack Entertainment; CVPR Gaming Holdings, LLC; STRON-MD Limited Partnership; and PRT TWO, LLC.
History
In a 2008 constitutional referendum, Maryland voters approved a video lottery terminal casino facility in Baltimore City, and at four other locations throughout the state.
[Wagner, John. “Caesars wins license for Baltimore casino.” Washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post, 31 July. 2012. Web. 13 Dec 2012.] In July 2012, the Maryland Lottery Commission approved a Caesars Entertainment-led consortium bid to develop and operate a gaming facility in downtown Baltimore.
Initial designs of the casino were prepared by Baltimore-based architects Ayers Saint Gross. Following the construction approval, revised renderings were prepared by Cleveland-based KA architects, who designed the
Horseshoe Casino Cleveland
Jack Cleveland Casino (formerly Horseshoe Cleveland) is a casino in the downtown core of Cleveland, Ohio, United States, owned by Vici Properties and operated by Jack Entertainment.
Casino
Jack Cleveland Casino is located in the former Higbee ...
.
On August 26, 2014, the casino opened with a full night of celebration that included a performances inside and outside of the Casino. Outside entertainment included a live performance from Andy Kushner Entertainment's Rhythm6 band and vertical dance performances by BANDALOOP and pyrotechnics before doors opened to VIPs. Inside entertainment was provided by legendary
Motown
Motown is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. Founded by Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959, it was incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau ...
artist
Gladys Knight
Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944) is an American singer and actress. Knight recorded hits through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s with her family group Gladys Knight & the Pips, which included her brother Merald "Bubba" Knight and cousins Will ...
, with "break music" provided by
Iggy Azalea
Amethyst Amelia Kelly (born 7 June 1990), known professionally as Iggy Azalea ( ), is an Australian rapper. Born in Sydney, Azalea moved to the United States at the age of 16 in order to pursue a career in music. She earned public recognition ...
and
Pauly D
Paul Michael DelVecchio Jr. (born July 5, 1980), known as Pauly D and DJ Pauly D, is an American television personality and disc jockey, DJ. He is best known for being a cast member of MTV's reality show ''Jersey Shore (TV series), Jersey Shore' ...
.
In October 2018, the Horseshoe announced a multi-year marketing deal making it the official casino partner for the
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team plays its home g ...
.
Question Seven
In November 2012, after the most expensive political campaign in Maryland's history, voters approved a 6th casino license in the state, as well as the addition of table games at all Maryland casino sites.
[Dresser, Michael. “Gambling expansion wins narrow victory.” Baltimoresun.com. The Baltimore Sun, 7 Nov. 2012. Web. 13 Dec 2012.] Voters approved the expansion of gambling, Question 7, with 52 percent of the vote.
[Stutz, Howard. “After enduring $90 million fight, Maryland voters OK new casino.” Lvrj.com. Las Vegas Review-Journal, 7 Nov. 2012. Web. 13 Dec. 2012.] More than $90 million was spent between the two campaigns in their efforts to sway voters.
Vote Yes on Question 7 was led by
MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International is an American Multinational corporation, multinational hospitality, sports and entertainment company. It operates resorts in Las Vegas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Maryland, Ohio, New Jersey, Macau, Shanghai, ...
, The Peterson Cos. and labor organizations. Vote No On 7 was funded almost entirely by
Penn National Gaming
Penn Entertainment, Inc., formerly Penn National Gaming, is an American entertainment company and operator of integrated entertainment, sports content, and casino gambling. It operates 43 properties in 20 states, under brands including Hollywood ...
, owner of
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
Criticism
''
Baltimore Brew Baltimore Brew is a news website devoted to local news about Baltimore, Maryland. Founded by Fern Shen, a former reporter for ''The Washington Post'', the ''Brew'' has been noted for its in depth reporting of local issues. In addition to Shen, sever ...
'' has been critical of the city's financial support of the casino, including increased police presence
near the casino and planned financial reimbursements, particularly after initial revenue from the casino has proven to be less than anticipated.
Horseshoe also faces a unique security challenge, because it holds a 24-7 liquor license at its 14forty bar. The only bars in Maryland that can serve alcohol around the clock are in casinos.
See also
*
List of casinos in Maryland
This is a list of casinos in Maryland.
List of casinos
Description
Rocky Gap Casino Resort was built on the grounds of Rocky Gap State Park. First proposal was rejected due to failure by the developer to pay licensing fees. The Maryland Lottery ...
References
External links
*
{{coord, 39, 16, 51, N, 76, 37, 24, W, region:US-MD_type:landmark, display=title
2014 establishments in Maryland
Caesars Entertainment
Casinos completed in 2014
Casinos in Maryland
Rock Ventures
South Baltimore
Tourist attractions in Baltimore