The 13th annual Southern Gaming Summit, produced by the Mississippi Casino Operators Association in conjunction with Ascend Media Gaming Group, moved to the Tunica Arena and Expo Center after Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc along the Gulf Coast. Yesterday Governor Haley Barbour made the opening Keynote Address and reiterated that Mississippi would rebuild its Gulf Coast better than ever.

So far only three of the thirteen casinos that should be operating along the coast are open. Mississippi has amended its law to allow the casinos to be rebuilt 800 feet from the shore, a more stable foundation than the casino barges that were uprooted by the storm. Governor Barbour commented that Mississippi has now had to rebuild four times: after the Civil War, the 1927 Great Flood and Hurricanes Camille (1966) and Katrina. Two-thirds of Mississippi was declared a major disaster area with 70,000 homes destroyed.

The casino markets in Tunica and Vicksburg are presently benefiting from an influx of gamblers who previously played at Gulf Coast casinos, but six more casinos there are expected to reopen by the end of the year. Gaming experts anticipate that casino visitors are likely to look for a memorable experience from good food and entertainment rather than a price-driven market. It was suggested that more non-gaming activities are needed to offer alternatives to Vicksburg visitors.

Today at the Southern Gaming Summit, speakers will outline their vision for casino resorts with a broader range of amenities, vital for future market recovery. An afternoon session will address customer relationship management (CRM), its technological aspects and the human touch to create customer loyalty. Gaming in the Southern region is preparing to enter a new era. (E-05.05.06)

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