Indian Gaming > Mississippi casinos not doing so bad after hurricanes

March 10, 2006

Mississippi casinos not doing so bad after hurricanes

The non-Indian gaming industry in Mississippi has recovered quickly from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, The Washington Post reports.

The hurricanes destroyed some riverboat casinos and had an effect on some of the on-shore ones. But in Biloxi, three of the reopened casinos did 63 million of business in January, approaching the $83 million that nine casinos took in a year ago during the same month.

"Fueled by insurance money, federal reconstruction aid and speculative capital, surviving hotels and restaurants are filled to overflowing, beachfront land prices are soaring, and developers are placing billion-dollar bets that shattered antebellum mansions will give rise to condominium resorts," The Post says.

Harrah's Entertainment is planning to build two casinos in Biloxi at a cost of more than $1 billion, MGM Mirage wants to invest $1 billion in its resort, Landry's wants to build two casino and the city recently approved a $500 million casino.

Mississippi has one tribal casino operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. The tribe has fought efforts to expand Indian and non-Indian gaming in nearby states.

Get the Story:
Mississippi's Reversal of Fortune (The Washington Post 3/10)
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