Two years ago the Mississippi Gaming Commission rejected a proposed casino in Diamondhead, near Gulfport, claiming the location was inappropriate. Now the developers, Jacobs Entertainment and Diamondhead Realty LLC, said they plan to present the proposal to commissioners again. Gaming Commission Executive Director Alan Godfrey said developers have the right to reapply, adding the issue probably will be on the commissioners’ agenda for their January meeting.
No actual plans have been presented, said Diamondhead Mayor Thomas Schafer. “It’s too early for me to oppose a project or endorse something that I have not seen. I look forward to learning more about it, and I want to see each component of it. Right now, it’s a question for the gaming commission,” he said.
Area residents are split on the idea of a casino in their community of 8,500, Schafer noted. Some homeowners believe a casino development would be inappropriate and disruptive in their quiet residential area. Others see the economic value of the proposal, Schafer said. “Pro would be something people deem as economic development. A con would be if we can’t manage the traffic with people coming to our city. There is going to have to be additional revenue to step up things like emergency services and police and fire to accommodate the impact we may see,” Schafer said.
The proposed casino site is zoned commercial, and under current law would have to be located within 800 feet of the Gulf of Mexico waters.
