Supplier News
US – Mississippi Gaming Commission rejects new casino proposals
By Phil - 23 March 2017
The Mississippi Gaming Commission has rejected two separate proposals for casinos in Biloxi and Diamondhead; one from RW Development’s South Beach project in Biloxi, and the other from Jacobs Entertainment Diamondhead.
RW Development had wanted to build The Gold Coast Resort at Veterans Avenue and Highway 90 whilst Jacobs Entertainment Diamondhead had resubmitted plans for a development west of Yacht Club Road in Diamondhead.
Mississippi legislation restricts casinos to sites touching water along the Mississippi River or the Gulf Coast. The Commission ruled that neither project had control over land on the two cities’ waterfront. RW Development is expected to appeal the decision.
Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewe said: “The greater impact would be the effect of completely changing the character of our South Mississippi community, as it would effectively open the floodgates to an indiscriminate proliferation of gaming sites to areas never contemplated or desired. Furthermore, this cannot be about limitations on competitive opportunities, as a multitude of legal gaming sites are presently in existence and available for development.”
Mississippi’s casinos generated GGR of $2.1bn in 2016, representing a 1.1 per cent increase from the previous year.
