The Mississippi Gaming Commission ordered all of the state’s casinos to close at midnight on Monday, March 16 until further notice in response to the coronavirus. The commission said only essential personnel may be on-site at the casinos.
Bill Hornbuckle, president and chief operating officer at MGM Resorts International, owners of the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi and Gold Strike Casino in Tunica, said, “We will continue monitoring the situation and announce plans for reopening when appropriate.”
The gaming commission has the authority to order the casinos closed, but individual operators can choose to keep the hotel and other amenities open. For example, Palace Casino’s hotel remains open, with limited food service available.
Also, the gaming commission’s order does not apply to tribal casinos. As of March 18, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indian’s Pearl River Resort, Bok Homa Casino and Golden Moon Hotel and Casino remained open but the buffet, spa, fitness center and pools were closed, entertainment was cancelled, and social distancing was established on the casino floors.
The shutdown will affect most of the 10,400 employees at the 12 coastal casinos and 16,000 statewide.
