Slot machines beneath a fanciful ceiling treatment on the game floor of the new MGM National Harbor Casino, preparing to open Thursday (Photo by Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post)

MGM is ready to open in Prince George’s County, Maryland gaming officials said Wednesday.

Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency issued an operating license Wednesday to the gaming giant, clearing the way for it to open to the public Thursday night.

The authorization comes after two successful controlled gaming demonstrations in the last week, during which state gaming inspectors performed audits and reviews of the facility. Inspectors found no major issues with the casino operations, Maryland Lottery and Gaming officials said.

“MGM National Harbor successfully demonstrated that it has met the state’s legal and regulatory requirements and is ready to open,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director Gordon Medenica, who signed the operations license Wednesday.

[MGM National Harbor opens Thursday, bringing a slice of Las Vegas to the doorstep of the nation’s capital]

MGM is opening it’ Maryland operation on a 23-acre parcel on the banks of the Potomac River at National Harbor. The $1.4 billion project is completed just three years after the state lottery and gaming control agency selected MGM for the state’s sixth and final casino license.

On Thursday and Monday state gaming inspectors tested and assessed MGM’s systems and controls, including 3,321 slot machines and 165 table games.  The procedures were to ensure operating standards are being followed, and identify any training-related issues before opening, officials said.

About 7,500 people attended the controlled demonstrations. Maryland Lottery and Gaming said the casino’s share of proceeds from the testing dates will be donated to local nonprofits including the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation Back to School Fair and the Alice Ferguson Foundation of Accokeek, Md.

Maryland’s casino program has generated more than $4.28 billion in revenue to the state since it began in 2010, Maryland Lottery and Gaming said.

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