New Rocky Gap Casino, MD

I'm excited about the news that Rocky Gap Casino is finally open. It is in my wheelhouse as far as distance I'm willing to travel and I think it may also fit the bill of a nice small, not over crowded, relaxing casino. My go to casino has always been Harrington, DE but a casino that is very similar in my home state might make me switch. These days I can barely keep up with the forum much less imagine when I'll be able to get away to Rocky Gap, but if anyone gets a chance to visit please write a good review. I can't wait to hear about it.

Also does anyone know anything about Lakes, Inc. or their other casinos? That might help to get a picture of what Rocky Gap may be like.

>does anyone know anything

Can't help, but I take it Md-Live is thumbs-down for you?

I pretty much concur. Did you ever check it out, Padre?

The new casino features more than 550 slot machines and 10 table games. The resort also is unveiling a renovated lobby, hotel rooms and restaurants, and it features an 18-hole golf course.
The four eateries include an upscale restaurant with views of the mountains and nearby lake and more casual bars and restaurants.

Read more: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/05/rocky-gap-casino-opens-with-550-slots-10-table-games-89184.html#ixzz2UCqEb4Wc

Over dinner tonight, rdw4potus mentioned this thread -- yes, he has peeked in during his absence. He commented on how remote this new casino is. I had to look it up on Google Maps. Jeez -- my wife and I used to live less than 20 miles from there. Yes, it's a bit remote.

It is way out there, but it is very convenient to I-68 (you can see it from the highway). I really hope this place does well...Cumberland could use the economic boost. I do wonder, though, if there would be much room to expand tables/slots if they find the need for more, considering it was built in the existing ballroom/conference space. I definitely think the table mins will be much more in line with Dover Downs or Harrington than MD Live.

Rocky Gap was smart, using existing built space to get the casino running faster. For MGM Nat'l Harbor, why not build the casino as an addition to the Gaylord, which is already a top-flight resort with plenty of rooms? I wonder if the concern of excess hotel capacity would be a negative to their bid...because I can't see MD favoring either of the other bids, if they are serious about a serious revenue-generating casino.

I live a little west of Baltimore and I'm sure it would take me every bit of 2.5 hours to get there. The resort itself is very nice. But it's so remote that it has always had trouble attracting much business/interest. It took the state of MD 3 tries to give away the casino license for that area. I'm sure the casino will help some...but it's not very big..so don't know if it will really draw that many people. The locals in that area, are how should I say...low rent. So they are going to need to draw from the Balt/DC area to have any hope. I wish them well, but I'm skeptical.

They're going to need to do tie-ins with the Deep Creek resorts (Wisp, etc), where DC/Baltimore folks are headed if they're out that way anyways. If they offered shuttle service to Deep Creek, I'd definitely consider staying there. Boating/hiking during the day, nice dinner and BJ/craps at night? It's going to take work, but if they want to succeed, I think they can.

Quote: vendman1

The locals in that area, are how should I say...low rent.

What!!! And this comes just two posts after I said that my wife and I used to live less than 20 miles from there? If that's not a personal insult deserving of forum disciplinary action, I don't know what is!

j/k

BTW, in the early 70's I was working at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory.

Quote: Doc

What!!! And this comes just two posts after I said that my wife and I used to live less than 20 miles from there? If that's not a personal insult deserving of forum disciplinary action, I don't know what is!

j/k

BTW, in the early 70's I was working at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory.

You made me laugh Doc, thanks. I swear I missed the part about you how you used to live there. I notice you didn't choose that area for your retirement :)

Don't get me wrong it's a lovely area to visit, lots of recreational opportunities, but there is definitely not a lot of economic opportunity. Which is why I wonder about the feasibility of the casino. Either way it should be interesting.

So I got up to Rocky Gap the other day with my dad to spend the night and check it out. I will write a brief review in the blog section but overall it was very nice and super relaxing. It is a very small casino with great blackjack rules, one monster craps table (18', I think), three card poker, roulette, and the mediocre Video Poker I have come to accept at almost every casino I go to. There are also lots of new slots. They are renovating and increasing parking and fixing up rooms. Finally, the golf course is fantastic!

Just for the record, called today 4-30-14 and was informed that they do not have Ultimate Texas Holdem there

My sister got mail from them for $40 free play, 2 free nights and free golf. She lives at least 600 miles away from there being here in northeast ohio. They're marketing pretty heavily probably buying lists from Global I'd imagine.

edit: not as far, somehow only 167 miles.

Quote: onenickelmiracle

at least 600 miles away ... edit: not as far, somehow only 167 miles.

quite a difference!

nice offer if she has never been

I think I saw a TRAVELZOO or GROUPON deal for there.....

Quote: onenickelmiracle

My sister got mail from them for $40 free play, 2 free nights and free golf. She lives at least 600 miles away from there being here in northeast ohio. They're marketing pretty heavily probably buying lists from Global I'd imagine.

edit: not as far, somehow only 167 miles.

167 miles, less than 3 hours, that's a very normal marketing range for a local casino. I would be surprised if they don't do that

Quote: Marksobbin

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Seriously?

Quote: pokerface

167 miles, less than 3 hours, that's a very normal marketing range for a local casino. I would be surprised if they don't do that

It's apparently closer than I originally guessed, but people far far away are getting better offers. I'm sure it's tough actually getting rooms when you call.

Quote: AxelWolf

Seriously?

Missed that one, sorry, Edited your post to kill the link and deleted the other.

It is out in hills quite a bit. Anyone got table-limit info yet?
edit: 100 mi west of Hagerstown?

Quote: 98Clubs

It is out in hills quite a bit. Anyone got table-limit info yet?
edit: 100 mi west of Hagerstown?

I was there last fall. It's in a very scenic area of western MD, about an hour west of Hagerstown, MD, and about 2 hrs west of Baltimore City. The resort itself has been there for quite a while, but hasn't been profitable for a long time (if ever), and the hope was that adding casino games could boost its bottom line.

The casino is very small. It used to be a conference center or a ballroom at the resort, IIRC. The slots are the normal mix, and there is a single pit of table games, as follows, on a Friday evening:

One craps table, 3-4-5X odds, $5 minimum.

Six or so blackjack tables, with standard MD rules (S17, surrender, DAS, no RSA). I believe they were six deck shoes with batch automatic shufflers. $5 and $10 minimums. I didn't see $25 tables, but I heard they had them when demand was higher.

One roulette table. I assume it was 00 and probably $5 minimum based on other limits.

A couple carnival poker mutants, no idea on minimums. No mini-baccarat, but perhaps they'd add it if demand was there.

The one cool thing about the casino is the poker tables are adjacent to the lobby and overlook a beautiful lake. There were three when I was there, $2-3 NL HoldEm games. I believe they now have tournaments as well.