If you were going to sell an established casino hotel in Natchez, Mississippi, you might expect the sale to go to a more prominent gaming name. Hard Rock or Caesars or Bally’s. Instead, Saratoga Casino Holdings LLC purchased the Magnolia Bluffs Casino and Hotel, according to the Natchez Democrat.
“While this was an extremely tough decision for our partnership, it will truly leave our team and valued customers in the best hands possible,” said Kevin Preston, partner, and president of Magnolia Bluffs. “Due to the long history we have here in Natchez, it was important for us to ensure we found the right company that has the same values and passion we do for the community and our team members here.”
Saratoga owns the Saratoga Casino Hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York, and Saratoga Casino in Black Hawk, Colorado.
“We are proud to add Magnolia Bluffs Casino and Hotel to our portfolio of gaming assets,” said Sam Gerrity, chief operating officer of Saratoga Casino Holdings. “We are committed to operating first class gaming facilities, and we do that by creating lasting relationships with our guests, team members and the communities that we serve.”
Closing will probably be finalized in late summer, said Tony Heidelberg, an official with Natchez Casino Opco LLC, which owns Magnolia Bluffs.
He said the new company also purchased the name and does not anticipate that changing. “Saratoga purchased the entire lease agreement we had with the city, so the city will not lose anything.”
Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson said he had mixed emotions when he was informed of the sale.
“It truly has come as a surprise. My first reaction is to be thankful to Kevin Preston and his team for all they have done to develop this property—the casino and hotel—and to provide so many jobs and economic development here in Natchez,” Gibson said. “My second thought is to be hopeful the new owner will keep all of that going.”
Gibson said he looks forward to meeting the new owners and working with them in any way the city can.
Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel opened in 2012 and features more than 450 slot machines, 14 table games, restaurant and bar, sportsbook and a 141-room hotel located off-site in the heart of Natchez.
For more information about Saratoga Casino Holdings, please visit saratogacasino.com.
