The future long-term revival of Biloxi now seems certain. Harrah’s Entertainment plans a US$1 billion investment in two Biloxi casinos, reportedly to the north and the south of Beach Boulevard, but has already indicated that the company will pull out of Gulfport. Hurricane Katrina devastated both Gulf Coast casino cities but Biloxi seems to be making a better recovery. MGM Mirage is expected to invest over US$1 billion in rebuilding the Beau Rivage barge.

There may be debris still littering many areas but some casino operations in Biloxi have reopened and players are returning. The IP Casino, formerly the Imperial Palace, the Isle of Capri and the Palace Casino restarted operations around Christmas and the New Year, and their customers are both local and coming from neighbouring states such as Louisiana. No casinos have so far reopened in Gulfport and Harrah’s has agreed to sell its Gulfport Grand Casino to its competitor there, Copa Casino.

In December the Mississippi Gaming Commission gave permission to the Silver Slipper Casino to start building on land in Hancock County. Previously Silver Slipper Casino Venture LLC had bought the old President Casino barge in Biloxi but the new law, brought in after the hurricane uprooted most gambling barges, permits Mississippi casinos to be built on land close to the coast. The Silver Slipper Casino is scheduled to open next December. (E-01.11.06)

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