The Tribal Council of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians voted 9-7 to approve a new casino on the reservation’s Red Water community. Chief Phyliss Anderson said the proposed 35,700 square foot Red Water Casino, set to open in February 2018, will offer 500 slots and 10 table games and create 200 new jobs. With 10,800 members, the Choctaw tribe is the only federally recognized tribe in the state. Its Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise Incorporated operates the Silver Star Resort Casino and the Golden Moon Casino at the Pearl River Resort in Neshoba County, plus the Bok Homa Casino in Jones County.
Anderson said, “This project is a win for our tribe. The Red Water Casino will bring new jobs and more revenues to our growing population. We must invest in our future. Opportunities do not stand still and wait. I am very thankful to the members of our council that support this project and believe in moving our tribe forward.”
Meanwhile, in Vicksburg, owners of the Portofino Hotel, which closed in July 2015, said new development at the property will not include a casino. Harrah’s Casino owned the hotel and associated riverboat casino 1993-2003, followed by Horizon Casino and Hotel until 2010. It reopened in 2011 as Grand Station and closed in March 2012.
