Although the 0 million Scarlet Pearl Casino won’t open in D’Iberville, Mississippi until December 9, city officials are making plans to spend—or already are spending–the anticipated million-plus in annual revenue, as well as more than 0,000 and 0,000 respectively for city and county schools and public safety.
For example, city officials have received a pay raise and city roads are being improved. Lowe’s gave the city a $20,000 matching grant to install palm trees and beautify the Interstate 110 exit. Also, three new fire trucks have been purchased, including a platform ladder truck that can reach the top floors of the 14-story hotel.
Other amenities will include an exploding volcano as the centerpiece of the resorts 18-hole championship miniature golf course.
In other parts of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, casinos are being upgraded or built, adding new restaurants, convention space and hotel rooms. Between June 2014 and June 2015, 500 rooms were added at the Coast’s 11 casinos. Since then Silver Slipper Casino in Hancock County added rooms and Scarlet Pearl will contribute 234 guest rooms, 56 luxury suites and 10 penthouse suites.
But besides the basics, the region’s casinos are bringing bling. For example, the dazzling lights at Island View Casino’s new $58 million Beach Tower seem to dance outside the building. Harrah’s Gulf Coast just announced it has hired a Las Vegas firm to remodel its guest rooms and suites, lobby and corridor.
Palace Casino’s Preserve Golf Club was extensively renovated within the last year, with new greens with Precision Aire systems and TifEagle Bermuda grass, redesigned bunkers, improved course drainage and laser-leveled tee boxes. The course was named the number two course in Mississippi and won Golfweek magazine’s “Best Courses You Can Play” award.
In addition, a $2.5 million remodeling project is underway at IP Casino Resort in Biloxi, and Beau Rivage is building a high-limits area off the casino floor. Hard Rock Casino added a hotel tower featuring new dining options, including a Half Shell Oyster House, Pie Five Pizza Tequila’s on the Gulf. Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis opened an arcade and Boomtown Casino Biloxi built a new events room and an RV park.
Silver Slipper Casino General Manager John Ferrucci said the property’s new hotel rewards loyal customers who gambled at the casino before it had a hotel. Plus, it attracts other properties’ better players. “It’s done exactly what we hoped it would do- created a buzz,” he said.
Golden Nugget Biloxi General Manager Chett Harrison said its renovation was completed 15 months ago and still looks and feels new. He added the resort offers one of the best swimming pools in the South. “It just adds to the resort experience for people coming to town,” he said.
