The Mississippi Gaming Commission recently approved the site for a proposed casino at the Gulfport Harbor under the name of Gulfport Gaming Development. Rotate Black held approval on the site for several years, but could not secure financing to build the resort. Gulfport Gaming Development, owned by Virginia attorney Robert Lubin and his partner Kevin Preston, plan to build a 0 million casino resort adjacent to the Coast Guard station south of Jones Park. Lubin and Preston also are partners in Magnolia Bluffs Casino-Hotel in Natchez.
The Gulfport city council on June 7 unanimously approved a 60-year lease with three renewal 10-year renewal options with Gulfport Gaming Development for the 4.5 acres the city owns at the harbor. The developers also have leases with the private landholders Marine Life and Misco Marine on the combined 10-acre harbor site. The lease terms call for the casino group to pay $80,000 a month in rent until the casino opens, then 6 percent of gross gambling revenue.
Before construction can begin, the developers must demonstrate to the MGC they have the financing to build a casino that meets the state requirements. The venue must have at least 300 hotel rooms, a 40,000 square foot or larger casino floor, a 200-seat restaurant, a 75-seat fine dining restaurant and parking for 500 cars. In addition, said Allen Godfrey, gaming commission executive director, “They need to bring an amenity that will drive economic growth and tourism.”
