As one of the biggest industries on the Gulf Coast, tourism is vitally important to economic growth. The Harrison County Tourism Commission has recently published a Gulf Coast Casino Update as well as monthly gross gaming revenues for 2006. Gaming revenue may be breaking records in much of the USA, even if presently disappointing analysts, but the Gulf Coast casinos were devastated by Hurricane Katrina leaving Mississippi without gaming revenue from its 12 coastal barges. Since that day at the end of last August, things have been slowly improving along the Gulf, and in June Mississippi gross gaming revenues had climbed to 60.6% of 2005 figures.

The first casino to reopen following the hurricane was the renamed IP Hotel& Casino, which had been largely undamaged. Four others are now back in business – Penn National’s Boomtown Casino, Isle of Capri Casino Resort, Palace Casino Resort and Treasure Bay Casino. Some 4,900 slot machines and 117 table games are already in play, with more to come. Under construction are MGM Mirage ‘s Beau Rivage, Harrah’s Grand Casino Biloxi, Hard Rock Casino, Island View Casino Resort in Gulfport, Penn National’s Hollywood Casino Bay St Louis and the Silver Slipper. Scheduled opening dates range from next month to July 2007.

There are also several casino projects being considered. Torguson Gaming Group hopes to open the Bacaran Bay Casino Resort with championship golf course by autumn 2008. A US$1 billion proposal for two casinos at the Broadwater will include a marina and 3,375 condo units. Landry’s have purchased land in the Point Cadet area for a Golden Nugget. Harrah’s Entertainment has acquired the Casino Magic Biloxi property next to its Gran Casino Biloxi, and intends to expand its resort. Isle of Capri has announced plans for a development in western Harrison County. A joint venture between Trump and Diamond Casino Corp envisages a 40-acre development on the north shore of the Bay of St Louis.

Mississippi has amended its laws to allow casinos to be built on land along the coast and therefore more stable than the original casino barges. The state relies heavily on its casinos and the tourists they bring, evidenced by the rapid adjustment to zoning laws and more. This year’s hurricane season has hardly begun but everything possible will be done to limit future damage to the region’s economic engine. Operators seem happy to take advantage of the climate for gaming in Mississippi and are building bigger and better casino resorts along the Gulf Coast, bringing in those gambling tax dollars and much needed employment. (E-07.28.06)

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