The Mississippi casino industry will celebrate 25 years on August 1. Ahead of the state’s new industry, a pair of Isle of Capri riverboats arrived in Biloxi after traveling down the Mississippi River from Iowa. Mississippi Gaming Association Executive Director Allen Godfrey said, “I was there when the first boat opened. It’s just been an amazing run.”
Godfrey noted Coast casinos came back from Hurricane Katrina’s devastation in 2005, plus survived the economic downturn and the Gulf oil spill. “August 1 of 2017 ought to be a tremendous day,” he said, although no official plans have been announced as yet to honor the anniversary.
However, the 12 Coast casinos will celebrate earning $1.2 billion in gross casino revenue in 2016–the best year since the recession began in 2008. In 2015 the Coast properties achieved revenue of $1.14 billion, up 6 percent from $1.08 billion in 2014, according to Mississippi Gaming Commission figures.
For 2016, minus December, Mississippi casino gaming revenue totaled $1,950,495,795.55. February was the best month with slightly more than $190 million earned. Including December, state casinos are expected to surpass $2 billion. And by the August 1 anniversary, Mississippi casinos will have paid $6.5 billion in casino tax revenue since they began operations.
Progress continues in South Mississippi, with a new parking garage at the Scarlet Pearl in D’Iberville, the state’s newest casino which opened in December 2015 and features a world-class miniature golf course; a second casino south of U.S. 90 at Island View Casino in Gulfport; and a swimming pool at the hotel that opened in 2015 at the Silver Slipper Casino in Hancock County. Also, in Biloxi, renovations are continuing at theIP Casino Resort & Spa and Harrah’s Gulf Coast will open its renovated hotel and new dining venue prior to the summer.
In addition, businessman Chris Ferrara of Biloxi Boardwalk Ventures and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation are finalizing plans for the $265 million Foxwoods Resort Casino at Biloxi Pointe. “It will be surprising and be a place where people will feel at home,” Ferrara said.
Godfrey said the city recently adopted guidelines encouraging waterfront development to have the look of old Biloxi. The city also will complete the loop road around the peninsula that will provide better access and link the eight casinos in East Biloxi. “I think there’s some measure of confidence coming back into the economy. I think a lot of things are heading in the right direction,” Godfrey said.
He pointed out Margaritaville closed as a casino in Biloxi but returned this year as a family resort, with plans for an amusement park and two more hotels. Zip lines, trampoline parks and other attractions are bringing more families and tourism to the Coast. Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association Deputy Director Michael Bruffey noted the area’s Southern hospitality, cuisine and coastal experience also are a draw for visitors. “It’s authentic. You can’t find that anywhere else,” he said.
