There is talk of legalizing land casinos in Mississippi now that Hurricane Katrina has destroyed about a dozen floating casinos.

A reported 13 floating casinos are closed due to the effects of the hurricane. The storm pushed some of the boats onshore.

The casinos pay 12 percent of their winnings to the state. According to the Associated Press, their closure is costing the state $500,000 a day, prompting debate about legalizing land casinos. In 2004, the 29 floating casinos took in $2.78 billion in revenues.

The state is home to casinos owned by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. The tribe spent millions on lobbyists to work against the expansion of gaming.

Get the Story:
Floating Casinos Down on Their Luck (The Washington Post 9/7)
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The Perils of Casinos That Float (The New York Times 9/7)
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