Tribe Unveils Plans for Foxwoods at Biloxi Pointe (From the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) and City of Biloxi GCN 6/7/16 The Mashantucket (Conn.) Pequot Tribal Nation announces its plans for the development and operation of a Foxwoods-branded, casino resort, to be located at Biloxi Pointe in historic Biloxi, Miss. Through a new strategic partnership, the Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprise will partner with Biloxi Boardwalk Ventures, LLC, Chris Ferrara, sponsor; and with The Hartmann Group, LLC, the resort's project management company. (More Here) Sun shines on Margaritaville Thursday From: City of Biloxi 6/22/16 GCN The family-oriented destination resort Margaritaville opens on Point Cadet on Thursday and Mayor Andrew "FoFo" Gilich says it will help capture a new audience for Biloxi.
Escape to the Gulf Coast with the all-new Margaritaville Resort Biloxi!From: News Release 4/3/16 GCN
Perhaps the third time will be the charm for the Margaritaville Resort after two rough starts. Margaritaville is bringing an all-new escape to the Gulf Coast with a 373-room 22 story family-friendly resort featuring an indoor 55,000 square foot entertainment complex, the largest on the Gulf Coast. Situated along the Gulf of Mexico, overlooking Deer Island, Margaritaville Resort Biloxi resort is scheduled to open late Spring 2016.
Inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of singer, songwriter and author Jimmy Buffett, Margaritaville Resort Biloxi will transport guests to paradise immediately upon arrival, offering unique experiences and coastal-luxe amenities centered around the vacation state-of-mind and island-inspired escapism that has become synonymous with the brand. More Here The Stunning Scarlet Pearl Casino 20+ Years Worth the Wait Story and Photos by: Deborah Heylman GCN 11/18/15 With just six days until Roy Anderson Construction Corp., completes its mission to build the Scarlet Pearl Resort and with 20 days until its Grand Opening on December 9, 2015, at 11:00 am, the Scarlet Pearl is well positioned to meet and exceed everyone's expectations. A grand fireworks show at 6:00 p.m. on the Back Bay is befitting this lush, exciting property. Upon Entrance
Boomtown Casino Opens RV Park and Noodle Restaurant From: Sun Herald Boomtown Casino Biloxi on Monday introduced two new amenities -- an RV park south of the casino and The Noodle Bar next to the steakhouse inside the casino.
Together they are an investment of about $750,000, said Jeff Zaffeon, vice president of marketing. Shuckers Impressive in Opening Game in Biloxi's New Stadium Story By: Keith Burton Photos by: Daniel Burton GCN 6/7/15 ![]() Shuckers win in bottom of 14th inning in a sudden rally of 5-4 Saturday evening at the new MGM stadium. After 55 games on the road, the team didn't arrive in Biloxi until 4 a.m. Saturday. Fans commented on the impressive stadium and its high-tech, full color video board. More Boomtown Guest Wins $1 Million in Penn National Gaming's Second Season From: News Release 5/13/15 GCN One lucky guest of Boomtown Casino in Biloxi is a millionaire after the sophomore season of Penn National Gaming’s Marquee Millionaire® slot tournament series. Angela R. of Vancleave, MS, took home the grand prize after winning the finale championship event, which ran from April 30 to May 3 this year.
Island View Casino Resort Opens $58 Million Beach Tower Hotel in Gulfport From: News Release 4/29/15 GCN GULFPORT, Miss. -- Officials with Island View Casino Resort today opened the doors to a $58 million hotel tower, located directly on the Gulf of Mexico shore, during a ceremony attended by several local and state dignitaries, including Gov. Phil Bryant.
Gulf Coast Residents and Visitors are Encouraged to “Laissez Les Bon Temps
Roulez” Feb. 17
BILOXI – Guests looking for a memorable 2015 Mardi Gras are invited to grab some beads and join Beau Rivage’s Mardi Gras Experience. The celebration will take place on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 17, in downtown Biloxi on the corner of Reynoir St. and Water St. Celebrate the historic tradition of Mardi Gras with food, music and fun. This community event offers local residents and visitors a classic Biloxi Mardi Gras experience, Beau Rivage-style, complete with big crowds and plenty of beads, throws and moon pies. ...MoreMargaritaville Casino Closes, Files for Bankruptcy - Sun Herald 9/16/14 Beau Rivage Named Best Casino by AAA Southern Traveler From: News Release 7/25/14 BILOXI, Miss. – July 25, 2014 - Out of all the exceptional casinos in the Southern region, AAA Southern Traveler readers have once again selected Beau Rivage Resort & Casino as the Best Casino in the South for the second year in the 2014 Best of the South poll.
Margaritaville Announces Forthcoming Closure From: City of Biloxi 7/21/14 GCN Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant has announced that it will be closing on or before Sept 19, but will pay its employees until that time. The casino attributed the closing to its inability to resolve a dispute with its landlords necessary to secure financing for a new hotel and other amenities. Margaritaville made the announcement to its employees this morning.
Biloxi Grand is Now Harrah's By: Keith Burton 5/23/14 GCN
Beau Rivage Receives 2014 Top Casino Distinction by NTA for Second Consecutive Year From: News Release 2/28/14 GCN BILOXI, Miss. - February 28, 2014 - The National Tour Association, an organization for professionals at the forefront of travel, has named Beau Rivage the top casino of its member gaming organizations for the second year in a row. The honor was bestowed through Courier, the NTA’s monthly publication distributed to its membership roster. Courier editor-in-chief Penny Whitman recognized winners during a luncheon in Nashville, Tennessee on the final day of Travel Exchange, NTA's annual convention. More
Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant Biloxi Announces Details Of New Resort
Construction Project
Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant Biloxi announced today it will break
ground on a new hotel facility in the Spring, and estimates construction
will be completed Spring 2015. The new hotel will feature 250 rooms – 170
deluxe guest rooms and 80 two- and three-bedroom suites. In
addition, they will become one of the first resort properties to offer
time-share units through a major international partner, which will allow
the property to attract a new type of visitor to Biloxi
Island View Casino Resort Announces Plans for $50 Million Expansion
From: News Release 8/14/13 GCN
GULFPORT – Island View Casino Resort officials today announced plans for a $50 million expansion to the Gulfport resort.
Island View will develop the waterfront corridor of the resort’s 40 acres to include a beachfront hotel, restaurants, meeting and convention space, as well as a pool and bar overlooking the beach and Gulf of Mexico. The hotel will be constructed within the existing footprint of the structure currently located on the south side of Beach Boulevard.
The expansion will increase Gulfport’s hotel-room inventory by approximately 400 beachfront rooms, as well as create the largest meeting and convention space in Gulfport and west Harrison County. More
Golden Nugget: A Transformative Addition to Biloxi
“We’ve had an overwhelming response to our grand opening events this past weekend from media, local dignitaries and casino customers alike” said Brad Rhines, vice president of marketing. “Thousands of people came to the new Golden Nugget for the festivities which included appearances by the cast of Duck Dynasty, Kevin Harvick’s #29 Nascar car on display and many great cash promotions." MORE
MGM
Mississippi Celebrates Exceptional Guest Satisfaction Scores
BILOXI, Miss. – January 18, 2013 - MGM Mississippi employees
have much to celebrate as Beau Rivage Resort & Casino and Gold Strike
Casino Resort recently scored their highest customer satisfaction scores
to date.
MORE.... Biloxi Isle Casino Purchased By Las Vegas Gaming Firm From: News Release 11/30/12 GCN Tilman J. Fertitta,
sole owner, chairman and CEO of Landry's, Inc., parent company of the
Golden Nugget Las Vegas, Atlantic City
and Laughlin, announced yesterday that
Fertitta Entertainment completed the acquisition of the Isle Casino in
Biloxi.
"We've been looking to extend the Golden Nugget's footprint to Biloxi for years and we're excited to make major changes to the property and to the South, a personal interest of mine," said Fertitta. "The Golden Nugget transformation will rejuvenate Biloxi, much as we have helped rejuvenate Downtown Las Vegas and most recently the Marina District in Atlantic City." Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant Opens in Biloxi By Keith Burton - GCN 5/23/12 Jimmy Buffett has long been a Coast favorite and his popularity drew a huge crowd for the opening of his new Casino. More than 4,000 VIP's were invited Tuesday for the 5 p.m. gala opening, which included a free Buffett performance outside....Click Here for Much More and Photos Holloway on Isle Sale: And Now, Another Exciting Chapter Begins 3/5/12 GCN ![]() Mayor A.J. Holloway says he will always have vivid memories of opening day of the South's first legal casino, the Isle of Capri, but he's also excited about the opportunities presented by having the Golden Nugget in Biloxi. Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., the parent firm of the Biloxi Isle and 14 other casino properties, announced this morning that it has agreed to sell its Biloxi site to Golden Nugget Biloxi, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Landry's, Inc., for $45 million. (GCN file photo right) ...Much More HERE
Margaritaville Biloxi Names Department Directors
As the project nears its anticipated Spring/Summer 2012 opening, Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant Biloxi has named key members to its management team. (Click Here for More) Boyd Gaming Completes Acquisition of IP Biloxi From: News Release 10/4/11 GCN Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) today announced that it has completed its acquisition of the IP Casino Resort Spa in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Boyd Gaming now owns and operates 17 properties in Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana and Louisiana. (More Here) Boyd Gaming Receives Regulatory Approval to Acquire IP Biloxi 9/22/11 GCN Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) today announced that the Mississippi Gaming Commission has approved the Company's proposed acquisition of the IP Casino Resort Spa in Biloxi, Mississippi. With today's action, the Company has received all required regulato ![]() "We look forward to joining the Mississippi Gulf Coast with this market-leading property," said Keith Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Gaming. "The IP's employees enjoy a strong reputation for delivering first-rate customer service, and we are excited to welcome them to the Boyd Gaming team." (More Here) After Earning Rave Reviews in its Debut, Fallen Oaks Welcomes Back Legends of the Game Tom Fazio-Designed Masterpiece Provided Stellar Test to Champions Tour Players Filed 3/7/11 GCN February 28, 2011 – Peter Jacobsen mentioned it in the same sentence as Pebble Beach and Augusta National. Loren Roberts said it could host a major championship. Ben Crenshaw, himself a noted architect, called it “an honest golf course.” And Jay Haas said it is in “the top five” of the host courses on the Champions Tour. ![]() In 2010, Fallen Oak was more than ready for its close-up among the game’s legends. Now, the highly regarded, award-winning Tom Fazio masterpiece is ready for its encore. For the second time, the Champions Tour’s mainstays will test their games at Fallen Oak March 28-April 3 for the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic. (More)
Beau
Rivage Makes Celebrating the Holidays Affordable for
Families
Filed 12/7/10 GCN
BILOXI, Miss. (December 2010) – In the spirit of giving, Beau Rivage invites families to visit the resort this holiday season for a variety of fun, free and discounted activities. Beau Rivage is giving away photos with Santa and dinner at the Buffet for kids during an entire week in December. From Dec. 17-24, stop by to have your complimentary photo taken with St. Nick from 1:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. between the Arcade and Roasted Bean. Children age 12 and under eat free in the Beau Rivage Buffet every day after 3:00 p.m. (Much More)
William Sackett’s Dance Time
USA The Mississippi Gulf Coast is poised to welcome a new entertainment concept know as William Sackett’s Dance Time USA. These weekly events will feature a live Orchestra, ballroom dancing and a continuing dance competition, hosted by the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in their “Hard Rock Live” venue Bandleader and concept originator, William Sackett has crafted a uniquely entertaining weekly program that will welcome dancers of all ages to enjoy a broad array of music in a beautiful and relaxed setting. (More Here) Jay Leno to Perform Benefit for Gulf Oil Spill Victims
at Beau Rivage
Jay Leno, America’s late night leader for nearly two decades as host of the #1 rated “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” has announced he will perform a benefit for Mississippians impacted by the Gulf oil spill. Stand Up for the Gulf Coast: A Special Evening with Jay Leno to Benefit the Gulf Coast Community Foundation will take place Saturday, August 21 at 8 p.m. in the Beau Rivage Theatre. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Mississippi Oil Spill Recovery Fund, established to benefit and support nonprofit organizations working to help Mississippi Gulf Coast communities, individuals and wildlife impacted by the oil spill. The fund not only provides emergency grants to nonprofit organizations helping the victims of the oil spill, but it helps address the long-term economic, environmental, cultural effects of the disaster and strengthen coastal communities against future environmental catastrophes by investing in solutions. (More Here)
Carter Green
Steakhouse Open at Island View Casino
Carter Green Steakhouse, Island View Casino Resort’s newest restaurant, opened June 10 adding an upscale dining concept to the Gulfport resort’s food and beverage offerings. The signature restaurant’s concept is modeled in the classic American steakhouse tradition, offering hearty but creative dishes in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The focus for the 200-seat restaurant is on fine dining with a casual, relaxed attitude. (Full story Here)
Beau Rivage Announces Buffet Enhancements Steak, seafood, and Asian additions all come to The Buffet as Beau Rivage rolls out the best selection to come to the coast. Beau takes buffet dining to the next level with an array of favorites the most selective diners will enjoy. Thursday night is Steakhouse night at Beau Rivage. It centers around filet mignon and all the trimmings for $23.99.
Each month the gourmet buffet series brings dishes from a region of the world to The Buffet. It continues in June and the upcoming months are full of flavorful flair. Regional Italian dishes will be available in July and experience a taste of the Southwest in August. Other themes for the remainder of the year are:
Yates Construction Selected to Build New CanCan Casino in D'Iberville Filed 5/12/10 CanCan Development, LLC
announced that Mississippi based W.G. Yates & Sons will lead the
construction of its CanCan Casino Resort and Spa in D’Iberville, Miss. “Yates Construction is very excited to be selected as the contractor for the CanCan project”, said William G. Yates, III. “We look forward to working with the entire team in making this project a success,” he said. The President of CanCan Casino Resort and Spa, Joseph V. Manno, said he too was excited to have Yates on board. “We are extremely pleased and excited that Yates will sign on to build Mississippi’s next world-class resort destination”, said Manno. “They are widely respected across the United States as a top-notch construction company that delivers on time, on budget, and routinely exceeds customer expectations”, he said. (More Here)
Hollywood Casino to Premier
New Bogart's The star cast of one of the best gourmet restaurants on the Coast will soon open a new steakhouse at Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis. Bogart’s Steakhouse, formerly Tuscany Steaks and Seafood, will open on Friday, April 30th at 5 p.m. with spectacular waterfront views overlooking the casino’s marina and The Bridge’s Golf Club. Bogart’s Steakhouse is part of the Hollywood Casino’s $8 to $10 million make over that started last year. “We’ve made a lot of extraordinary improvements throughout our property,” said General Manager John Chaszar. “Now we’ve combined what’s been one of the best fine dining restaurants with terrific waterfront views sweeping across our marina and The Bridges Golf Club,” said Chaszar. (More Here)
Biloxi is moving ahead this week on building permits for the expansion of the Palace Casino on Point Cadet in east Biloxi, according to city spokesman Vincent Creel. Creel mentioned the permits during plans during this week's "City Desk," program, which is broadcast exclusively on GCN Radio. The Palace Casino plans a $45 million expansion and improvement program that will substantially increase the size and amenities at the the popular casino. (More)
GULFPORT – Island View Casino Resort’s Windance Country Club – a Mark McCumber-designed golf course located in Gulfport, Miss. – was recently distinguished by Golfweek as one of “America’s Best Courses You Can Play” by state for 2010. The 18-hole, championship golf course was included in a list of 10 courses located in Mississippi by the national sporting magazine. Windance, which included in the “Modern Course” category, was among more than 2,200 courses nationwide that were ranked by 475 evaluators on 10 standards established by the publication. (More Here)
The Mississippi Development Authority has announced another golf and casino resort tandem is part of the state's acclaimed inventory in this popular tourism category. The IP Casino, Resort & Spa in Biloxi and Shell Landing Golf Club have forged a partnership which will promote each brand, offer stay-and-play packages, foster e-mail promotions to each data base, golf-and-gaming tournaments, and raise funds for local charities.(More Here)
It is beginning to look good for D'Iberville's more than 12-year old plan to get a casino in their city located just north of Biloxi. The gaming commission has approved a site application for Can Can Casino. The 5-acre site is east of Interstate 110 and east of Central Avenue on the Back Bay. The resort will have a 60,000-square-foot casino with 1,800 slots and 40 table games, four restaurants, a French spa, 250 hotel rooms and suites and two retail outlets. It is expected to create 1,100 jobs. Construction has not been announced, but with the site approval from the Gaming Commission, developers, Manno and Joseph Py, can move ahead on obtaining the financing for the project. (More Here)
Hollywood Casino RV Park Rated Among Top 100 Filed 1/12/10 The Hollywood Casino RV park is once again recognized as one the Top 100 Good Sam Parks in the country for 2010. RV parks and campgrounds are rated by the Trailer Life Directory. Only Good Sam Parks rating the highest in the nation and Canada qualify as “Top Rated.” The Good Sam Club is the world’s largest RV owner’s organization with over 1,000,000 members. There are more than 1,500 Good Sam Parks and campgrounds in the United States and Canada. (More Here)
Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis to Get a Makeover Filed 12/15/09 The popular Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis is undergoing a multi-million dollar makeover. Some of the renovation work is already underway. As part of the improvements, the casino recently opened a new stage bar. It is an upscale venue for visitors where they can enjoy legendary New Orleans clarinetist Pete Fountain and other big name local bands. Two of the casino's restaurants will also undergo makeovers. Escalators will be installed to take guests the Epic Buffet on the second floor, which is also getting major improvements, as will the casino's Tuscany restaurant. The Tuscany will get a full waterfront view with improved decor. In addition, the casino's poker room, table games and gift shop have new homes.
Beau Rivage Fallen Oaks Golf Course to Play Host to Major New PGA Event Filed 11/3/09 The excitement at the news conference on the 27th floor of the Beau Rivage was palpable as Coast business leaders and officials with the PGA announced that the Champions Tour, called the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, will be held April 26-May 2, 2010 at Fallen Oak, the Beau Rivage's premier golf course. The tournament will feature three days of competitive play, a Pro-Am as well as numerous special events including a Junior Pro-Am and Junior Clinic. (Much more here)
Margaritaville Construction Delayed Filed 11/5/09 Back in May 2007, Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett joined Mayor A.J. Holloway and Gov. Haley Barbour to unveiled plans for Margaritaville Casino & Resort, a $700-million-plus investment on Casino Row in Biloxi, but the national economy and financing issues have delayed the project. While a significant amount of work has been done on the site, the casino is far from complete as of November 2009 and work is on standby as construction cranes are still on the site and equipment is covered by tarps. The project represents the single largest investment in Mississippi since Hurricane Katrina. The company expects the first phase of a development that may cost more than $1 billion. Construction of Margaritaville was initially expected to be complete in time for an opening by the Spring of 2010 but that will not happen. The huge Harrah's project is located on the former Grand Biloxi and Casino Magic property south of U.S. 90 on the Biloxi Beach.
Diamondhead Casino Developers on Deadline Filed 11/5/09 Developers for the proposed Diamondhead Casino in Hancock County have been given a deadline to submit construction plans or lose their permit for the site from Hancock County. It has been nearly 10 years that the project was first proposed and permits issued. The county has given the developers one year to submit the plans. The Diamondhead Casino Corporation reports it is still interested in developing the property.
Beau Rivage Accepted as Associated Luxury Hotel
International’s First Mississippi Member
Filed 10/8/09 Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi has been accepted for membership into the prestigious organization Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), becoming ALHI’s first member in Mississippi. The 1,740-room resort will now receive national sales services by ALHI to the meetings, incentive/recognition travel, conventions and expositions marketplaces. (More Here)
Beau Rivage 'Fallen Oak'
Named Mississippi's #1 Golf Course by Golfweek Magazine One of the enduring qualities about Fallen Oak, the Tom Fazio-designed course that has captivated golfers since its November 2006 opening, is the fact any guest of the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino can play the challenging and spectacular course. Recognizing this, Golfweek named Fallen Oak Mississippi’s No. 1 Course You Can Play. This latest honor from Golfweek, recognizing public, resort or daily-fee courses on a state-by-state basis, appeared in the same March 14 edition in which the publication ranked Fallen Oak No. 55 on its prestigious Top 100 Modern Courses. That marked the course’s debut on that list. (More Here)
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino Announces New
Direct Air Jet Service from Tampa/St. Pete Starting April 1, travelers can escape to Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, MGM MIRAGE’s destination resort on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with more ease and value than ever. Beau Rivage celebrates its convenient new nonstop jet service from the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport with introductory two-night air inclusive hotel getaway packages starting at just $199 per person. (More Here)
IP Casino's New Really Big Sign Filed 2/20/09 Everyone knows that Biloxi is not Las Vegas, nor does the city want to be. But with gaming now well established it doesn't hurt to add some flash. That is definitely what visitors and residents now get with the new huge sign that has gone up near the IP Casino Resort and Spa near the I-110 bridge. (More Here)
Travel + Leisure Magazine Selects Beau Rivage as BILOXI, Miss. – Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, MGM MIRAGE’s destination resort on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, has once again been recognized as one of the top hotels in the world by the leading travel magazine Travel + Leisure. Beau Rivage is the only property in Mississippi to make the list. Overall scores are an indexed average of evaluations concerning five characteristics: rooms/facilities, location, service, restaurants/food and value. Travel + Leisure’s editors describe Beau Rivage as a “waterfront resort that’s like Vegas on the Gulf Coast. (More Here)
IP's New Showroom a Hit Filed 1/10/09 It doesn't hurt to launch a new showroom at a Coast casino with a superstar performer and that is exactly what happened Saturday night at the IP Casino Resort and Spa in Biloxi. The IP's new showroom premiered with country music star Toby Keith who electrified the sold out crowd of more than 1,400 guests. The show began with a video movie vignette with Keith both acting and having some fun displayed on two huge screens in the showroom, the IP calls "Studio A." Then Keith and his band stepped up on the stage playing his most popular hits. (More Here)
IP Casino Resort and Spa to Feature Top Entertainers in New Showroom Filed 1/2/09 Country music super-star Toby Keith will be the grand
opening act in the new showroom called “The $9 million renovation of the IP Showroom is part of our continuing endeavor to provide both gaming and non-gaming amenities and offerings to our guests and visitors. No detail was spared in this 1300 seat architectural wonder," said Jon Lucas, President & General Manager IP Casino Resort & Spa. (More Here)
Biloxi Gaming Revenues Rebound, Gross Revenues Biloxi’s casino resorts saw gross gaming revenue figures sharply higher in October, jumping 23 percent from September and only one percent off the October 2007 figures. The total gross gaming revenue in Biloxi in October: $72.5 million. (More Here)
Economic Deck Stacked in Favor of Louisiana and Mississippi Coast Casinos Filed 11/11/08 Even as casinos across the country feel the pinch of recession, the dice are still rolling in favor of casinos in New Orleans, Lake Charles and Biloxi, Miss., where smoking hasn’t been banned and a booming oil industry is generating income, gaming industry analysts say. (More Here)
Diamondhead Casino Project on Hold Due to National Economic Conditions Filed 11/11/08 From News Release Diamondhead Casino Corporation issued a status report this month for its shareholders. On June 23, 2008, the Company signed a non-binding Letter of Intent with Casinos Austria International Holding, GMBH ("CAI") to form a joint venture partnership to develop, build and operate a destination casino resort at the Company's Diamondhead, Mississippi property in Hancock County. On September 22, 2008, the Company, at the request of CAI, extended the terms of the Letter of Intent through December 21, 2008. On November 4, 2008, CAI informed the Company that, although it still believes in the project and hopes to continue as soon as the economic situation improves and allows for acceptable financing for the project, it is ceasing its activities with respect to the project until such time as the market recovers and successful financing for the project is available. In the interim, the Company will explore opportunities and alternatives available to secure the required financing for the project. In addition, the Company intends to proceed with actual site selection for its casino resort and, to the extent possible, to obtain those permits required so as to be positioned to proceed when acceptable financing does become available. (More Here)
Coast Casinos Mississippi Coast Casinos that closed as a result of Hurricane Gustav reopened just a few days after the hurricane moved into coastal Louisiana. The storm also affected the Mississippi Gulf Coast with heavy rains and Tropical Storm force winds. The casinos were closed for public safety as part of Mississippi's hurricane emergency plans. Click Here for the latest information on the reopening of the casinos
Planned Bacaran Bay Casino Project Gets New Name Filed 8/14/08 Bacaran Bay Casino is going forward but with another name. The Sun Herald reports that the project will be referred to as the Phoenix Caillavet Street Project, according to Phoenix Gaming Group Managing Director John Ed Ainsworth, while they test market a new name. "The first thing we needed to do was to stop the confusion," he said. "This is no longer a Torguson project. That ended on March 18." Phoenix Gaming Group was formed between Caillavet Street Development Group, the owner of the land where the casino will be built, and Firegame LLC, a finance company that holds an interest in the project.
A unanimous decision by the Mississippi Gaming Commission ended plans for the proposed South Beach Casino envisioned by RW Development July 17at the Biloxi Community Center. In a room packed with both supporters and opponents to the project, Commissioner Jerry St. Pe (pronounced: Saint Pay - .ed) made the motion to deny the application. The silence in the audience was palpable. With the unanimous vote the commission ended a huge controversy for the city, which could have placed the area's entire gaming industry in jeopardy. (More Here)
Coast Casino Industry Booming, But Condo Development has Slowed
The sun is finally shining on the Katrina devastated Gulf Coast as
millions of dollars have been invested to bring
Officials and developers are citing a slowdown in the overall economy and the difficulty in getting money as a result of the banking industry’s sub-prime mortgage and overall banking problems. But the national slowdown that is affecting the city hasn’t slowed down progress at a number of Biloxi condo sites that have come out of the ground. South Beach condo developer RW Development is moving forward on its projects on the Beach and along Veteran’s Avenue in central beach Biloxi. The first of five South Beach condos is well underway. (More Here)
Filed 3/25/08 GCN
UPDATED Bacaran
Bay Casino Developers Resolve Land Ownership Issue Torguson Gaming Group, Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Caillavet Street Development Group, LLC (CSDG), owners of the land under the proposed Bacaran Bay Casino Resort and Firegame, LLC, a finance company holding security interests in some of the land, to convey the majority of its land and interests in the project to Phoenix Gaming Group, LLC, a new company formed by all three parties to direct development of Bacaran Bay Casino Resort. Torguson will remain involved with Bacaran Bay as a minority equity holder and will serve as a consultant to the project going forward. (More Here)
Biloxi Planning
Commission Approves RW Development's Gold Coast Casino Representatives from RW Development's Gold Coast Casino are pleased after the Biloxi Planning Commission, March 6, overwhelmingly approved plans for a mixed-use development on U.S. 90 and Veterans Avenue that includes a casino north of 90. RW Development has a multi-year billion dollar develop planned for the area in central beach Biloxi that includes condos, a casino, shopping areas and apartments. The vote of 8-2-1 came at the end of a four-hour meeting that also saw the IP Casino Resort get approval to rezone land it owns south of the current hotel to allow an onshore casino. With the approval from the Biloxi City Council, the Mississippi Gaming Commission will decide make the final decision on the sites.
Biloxi Casinos Pass Billion-Dollar Mark Biloxi’s casino industry reported its largest ever annual gross gaming
revenue in 2007, more than a billion
The city announced the figures today, once December’s gross gaming revenue figure -- $78.3 million – was reported. Mayor A.J. Holloway had acknowledged last week that November’s revenue figures had pushed Biloxi gaming revenue to $929 million for the year, eclipsing the previous record year of $911 million in 2004.
“This is a huge milestone, not only in our recovery, but in the overall growth of the casino resort industry in Biloxi,” Holloway said. “When you consider those gaming figures and the billion dollars in permits we’ve issued since Katrina – half of which were non-casino and non-condo – and the Biloxi Bay Bridge fully opening in three-and-a-half months, this tells the rest of the county that Biloxi is indeed coming back bigger and better.”
Biloxi Grand Casino
Opens Asian-Themed Rooms Harrah's Grand Biloxi Casino, Hotel and Spa's has opened an exciting new Asian gaming area and noodle bar. This is the first major addition to the casino since it reopened after Hurricane Katrina in August 2006. The area is located off the casino floor next to the casinos main buffet. Ribbon cutting ceremonies during the opening of the new gaming area included a ceremonial lion dance that traditionally brings luck and prosperity.
Similar Asian gaming rooms have built at three other Harrah' properties in Atlantic City — Caesars, Bally's and the Showboat — and at Harrah's Lake Tahoe. Using Feng Shui.Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment. Feng shui literally translates as "wind-water. The designer who worked at several Harrah's properties gave the room clean lines and high-end finishes such as Chinese terra cotta tiles and etched stone.
Coast Casinos Featured in article on Katrina Recovery Filed 11/21/07 A recent article in a nationally distributed amusement trades magazine by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) features what several Coast casinos have done to recover from hurricane Katrina. The article focuses on the Imperial Palace President and General Manager, Jon Lucas and highlights the IP's steps to recovery after Hurricane Katrina. To read the full article, click on the following link IAAPA Article.
Isle of Capri Abandons Plan to Build a Casino in West
Harrison County Filed 11/08/07
Jackson County Voters Vote Against Choctaw Indian Casino Filed 11/08/07 Voters in Jackson County voted overwhelmingly Nov. 6, in a non-binding referendum to reject a plan by the Choctaw Indian tribe to build a casino along I-10 on their property in Jackson County. Jackson County residents have rejected casinos in their county, just east of Biloxi's casinos in Harrison County, two other times in the past. The latest vote was 60 percent against. Jackson County is among the state's largest industrial counties and the home of the giant Northrop Grumman shipyard. The tribe is still interested in building a gaming facility on the Coast.
Harrah's
Entertainment Announces Transaction Approval by the Mississippi Gaming
Commission
By Keith Burton - GCN 10/10/07 Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport officials and tenants are excited over a new cargo facility and the completion of the construction on the terminal expansion that should be finished by month's end.
Casino visitors and businessmen flying in and out of the Gulfport/-Biloxi International Airport will note that construction on the new and expanded terminal is rapidly nearing completion. The airport overall has been undergoing a $50 million expansion that actually began prior to Hurricane Katrina, but was substantially setback by the hurricane when the existing work on the terminal was badly damaged. (More Here)
Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi Opens Ahead of Schedule Filed 6/26/07 Officials with Biloxi's Hard Rock Casino opened Saturday, May
30th, a week ahead of their announced
The soft opening also benefits the casino in getting services and employees up to speed for what will surely be a huge crowd on the Grand Opening. Escatawpa's 3 Doors Down will open the 1,400-seat Hard Rock Live July 5, with Kid Rock playing on July 7. The Hard Rock Casino includes The Rock Spa, Merge Salon with three Coast stylists, a fitness center, beach pool with underwater music, shops and five restaurants, including Hard Rock Cafe.
Hard Rock's original opening was delayed when hurricane Katrina slammed into the Coast August 29, 2005, just days from the planned original opening of the property, located just next door to the towering Beau Rivage. More information is available by visiting Hard Rock's website at www.hardrockbiloxi.com.
Treasure Bay Opens
Treasure Bay Casino in Biloxi opened its new hotel and casino Monday, July 2, marking the return of almost all of Biloxi's casinos that were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Treasure Bay, whose former pirate ship barge became a Katrina devastation poster child, has finished a complete rebuild and remodel of their hotel site north of the highway. The casino has an entirely new theme, no longer the pirate ship look.
Casinos that are not returning are the President and Casino Magic. The President's location at the former Broadwater Resort has new owners and Casino Magic was purchased by Harrah's and will become part of a huge casino complex near the new Margaritaville Casino that is planned to begin construction soon.
Harrah's, Buffett
Unveil Plans for $700M Harrah’s Entertainment and world-renowned singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett joined Mayor A.J. Holloway and Gov. Haley Barbour May 15 to unveil plans for Margaritaville Casino & Resort, a $700-million-plus investment that will be on Casino Row in Biloxi and represents the single largest investment in Mississippi since Hurricane Katrina. The company expects this to be the first phase of a development that may cost more than $1 billion.
Construction of Margaritaville began this past summer with a target completion date of Spring 2010. The project is to be constructed on the former Grand Biloxi and Casino Magic property south of U.S. 90 on the Biloxi Beach. (More Here)
Biloxi Mayor Details Casino Industry Status for Audience
at 2007 Gaming Summit Casino resorts in Biloxi have acquired more than 175 acres in Biloxi in the 20 months since Hurricane Katrina. Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway told a Southern Gaming Summit audience meeting in Biloxi early in May that the city will continue to see extraordinary growth without compromising quality of life.... (Much More Here) More News Below...
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino reopened Aug. 29, 2006, the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The resort also has opened its new Tom Fazio-designed golf course Fallen Oak for guests at the resort. Beau Rivage has new restaurants, a redesigned and more luxurious casino, and the stores along the promenade look more like a street with each having their own look inside and out. In addition, all of the guest rooms have been redesigned and have a new look.
Silver Slipper, opened November 9, 2006. The casino is located in Hancock County at Bayou Caddy west of Waveland. Silver Slipper has more than 1,000 slot machines, 26 table games and 10 poker tables. Restaurants include the Jubilee Buffet, the Blue Bayou Bar and Grill steakhouse and Palm Court Cafe.
Island View Resort in Gulfport is actually what has become of the former Gulfport Grand Casino. The new resort opened for the first time August 18, 2006. The owners of the Copa Casino purchased Harrah's Gulfport Grand property after Hurricane Katrina severely damaged the property and left the Copa's barge on land in a parking lot. The Island View Resort, which was the Grand Oasis Hotel, has been extensively expanded and reconfigured for the new casino resort. The Island View is Gulfport's only casino..
Hollywood Casino in
Bay St. Louis opened August 31, 2007. It is the former Bay St. Louis Casino
Magic. The new resort is similar to
the one its parent company, Penn National Gaming, owns in Tunica County. The casino
is dedicated to movie themes and has displays from "Titanic" and Elvis
Presley movies. The completely redesigned and updated resort also features
the Arnold Palmer-designed Bridges Golf Course. The new look is
Biloxi Grand Casino reopened, August 17, 2007 at 9 p.m. in the surviving BayView Hotel, but a huge $1 billion resort is being designed. The Grand is owned by Harrah's. All of the casino's shoreline property has been demolished in preparation for the much larger resort. The Grand currently features all-new rooms with flat panel televisions, a large gaming floor in the hotel, a terrific buffet and LB's for fine dining. A new casino on the south side of U.S. 90 where the former Biloxi Grand was located, named Margaritaville, is under construction.
The IP Casino Resort and Spa (Formerly the Imperial Palace) Features 1,000 refurbished and redecorated hotel rooms and a whole new decor since it reopened in December 2005. The busy resort has several new restaurants and popular entertainment venues that have turned this casino into a favorite since it reopened.
The Isle of Capri Casino Resort - opened Dec. 26, 2005 with the casino inside its new hotel. The resort is completely redesigned with numerous restaurants, upscale entertainment venues and a whole new feel inside and out. The Isle has also asked the Mississippi Gaming Commission for approval to open a new casino is west Harrison County near the Diamondhead community off of Interstate 10.
The Palace Casino Resort opened Dec. 30, 2005 with a new gaming floor inside the first and second floors of its hotel. An elegant pool located just at the edge of the Biloxi Back Bay and a variety of fine dining restaurants and buffet are among its charms.
Boomtown Casino reopened June 29, 2006 with major improvements since Hurricane Katrina blew through the Mississippi Coast. The casino has a new gaming floor on its renovated casino barge and remains a local favorite with is popular buffet.
Treasure Bay Casino in Biloxi opened its new hotel and casino Monday, July 2, 2007, marking the return of almost all of Biloxi's casinos that were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Treasure Bay, whose former pirate ship barge became a Katrina devastation poster child, has finished a complete rebuild and remodel of their hotel site north of the highway. The casino has an entirely new theme, no longer the pirate ship look.
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, held their former Grand Opening July 7th, 2007 but actually opened a week early on June 30. The resort took heavy damages from Katrina just days before the casino was to open in September 2005. After Hurricane Katrina, the overall structure survived but the property was heavily damaged.
Under Construction
Bacaran Bay Casino Resort - $500 million project, owned and operated by Torguson Gaming Group, with anticipated completion date 2010. 638 room all suite hotel; 432 one and two bedroom condominiums; Arnold Palmer signature 18-hole championship golf course; 40 lane bowling alley; and six movie theaters. Proposed Royal D'Iberville Casino & Hotel - The Mississippi Gaming Commission approved what could become D'Iberville's first casino Feb. 15. (See Below)
Bayview Casino Resort is a project under design next to Boomtown on Back Bay. The project is moving forward with plans for a resort that will include 55,000 square feet in gaming space and a 500-room hotel. The Broadwater (former President Casinos) there are rumors that the huge Broadwater site is slated for a $2 billion development. Currently, the site has seen no construction, however, all of the structures that were once on the site have been torn down and in November the slabs from former structures were removed. The location has the potential for what could be the Coast's most significant casino and resort location.
More News The Island View Casino in Gulfport opened their latest expansion May 14, 2007, that doubled the amount of gaming space for the casino. The Island View casino is Gulfport's only casino.
IP Mississippi Charities – the philanthropic arm of IP Casino Resort Spa in Biloxi – donated a half-million dollars to the city of Biloxi in March to help purchase emergency vehicles destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. (More Here)
The Isle of Capri is increasing its presence in Biloxi and expanding. It is also shortening its name to just The Isle. The casino is filling in some land it controls on Biloxi's Point Cadet. The site is approximately 1.8 acres along the water. A $180 million expansion will put a casino immediately adjacent to the the property's parking garage along with restaurants and bars. It will also allow ballroom and convention space - currently converted into a gambling floor - to go back to its intended use. It will be completed in May 2009.
Biloxi’s casinos reported March 19, $86.2 million in gross gaming revenue in February, the largest February in city's gaming history, according to figures released by the mayor’s office.
“This means that five of the last six months have broken records in some form or another,” Mayor A.J. Holloway said, “and these figures overall show the strength and vitality of the Biloxi market.”
The trend, Holloway said, began six month ago, in September, when the city’s largest monthly gross gaming revenue -- $95.7 million – was reported. Added the mayor: “That was followed by the largest October ever, the largest November ever, the largest December ever, and now the largest February ever.” (More Here)
Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc., the casino company founded by real estate developer Donald Trump, has dropped plans to build a casino on Mississippi's Gulf Coast in Hancock County. Trump Entertainment ended negotiations with Diamondhead Casino Corp.,late February. Diamondhed Casino Corp is the owner of more than 400 acres in Mississippi in Hancock County. Reportedly, the plans were dropped after the companies could not reach an agreement and over concerns about the project's financial return. The companies had signed a letter of intent to build on Diamondhead's site, which was approved for gambling after the state Legislature allowed casinos on land.
The owners of the site of the future Royal D'Iberville Casino & Hotel cleared two hurdles at once Feb. 15 when the Mississippi Gaming Commission declared the property a legal site for gambling and approved development plans. The plan calls for the casino resort to be built on the west side of Interstate 110 in D'Iberville and would be a cutoff before motorists reach casinos on the Biloxi peninsula. The developers envision a 60,000-square-foot casino with a 400-room hotel and a parking garage that will be parallel to the Interstate with condotel units on top. An elevated bridge would take gamblers directly into the casino. The waterfront towers would each have 99 units. Developers are now seeking financing for the project, that when finished, will become D'Iberville's first casino.
Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway said Feb. 16, 2007 on WLOX that Biloxi could see as many as six more casinos in the city in the not too distant future. The city is hearing plans from casino developers for property along Back Bay east of Boomtown Casino, as well as additional casinos on Biloxi's southern shoreline. The property that was once the President Casino at the Broadwater Resort has yet to see any construction, however debris removal and the removal of the former buildings on the Broadwater grounds has been completed.
The Isle of Capri reported Feb. 7, 2007, that they have purchased the property initially purchased by the Golden Nugget on Biloxi's Point Cadet. The land includes about 5 acres just north of the Isle's main property. The casino has not announced any plans for the property and a purchase amount was not released. |