Mississippi Gulf Coast Casino Development Braces for Flood of New Competition

• More casinos could open along the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the coming years
• Four casino proposals remain active along the coast

Casinos along the Mississippi Gulf Coast are currently facing stagnant conditions as gross gaming revenue (GGR) has significantly declined in recent years. Despite these challenges, the region is attracting attention for several upcoming casino development projects that promise to revitalize the market.

The Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC) categorises 12 casinos into its Coastal segment – including Beau Rivage, Boomtown, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, Harrah’s, Hollywood, IP, Island View, Palace, Scarlet Pearl, Silver Slipper, and Treasure Bay – distributed across popular locations like Biloxi, Bay St. Louis, D’Iberville, Gulfport, and Lakeshore.

Last year, Coastal GGR from slot machines, live-dealer table games, and sports betting totalled a whopping $1.582 billion. However, this marked the third consecutive year witnessing a decline in GGR.

Despite this downturn, a series of proposed casino developments are on the horizon, including major projects that have been in the works for over 15 years and are finally approaching construction phases.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Bullishness

Although 2024 saw another drop in casino revenues along the Gulf Coast, it still experienced a 20% increase compared to 2019, when the region’s casinos recorded winnings of $1.314 billion. This resurgence has motivated four developers to push forward with plans to expand the regional gaming market by building brand-new casinos.

This week, RW Development, led by local entrepreneur Ray Wooldridge, received city approval in Biloxi to demolish the long-neglected pier at Veterans Ave and Beach Blvd (US Highway 90). Wooldridge intends to construct a $1 million, handicap-accessible pier equipped with a pavilion and fishing area named the Veterans Avenue Pier.

Once finished, the pier will meet state gaming regulations, allowing Wooldridge to advance his plans for a casino resort on the site where his Big Play Entertainment Center currently operates.

Wooldridge isn’t the only hopeful casino developer in the area. Approximately four miles east of the proposed development, two additional casino projects are underway.

Local real estate developer Daniel Conwill and Biloxi Capital have introduced plans for a casino resort on 32 acres located just west of the Biloxi Yacht Club and Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art at 420 Beach Blvd. This site is particularly notable as it was home to the Tivoli Hotel, which was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The Tivoli plan comprises 1,300 hotel rooms paired with a vast 100,000-square-foot casino featuring 2,000 slots, 75 table games, and sports betting options. The MGC approved the project to continue during a January vote.

Just east of Tivoli’s proposed site, Tennessee businessman Israel Schwartz is advancing his Tullis Gardens Hotel & Casino project, which registered MGC approval last December. This ambitious venture will include an eleven-story, 300-room hotel alongside over 53,000 square feet dedicated to gaming, featuring 900 slots and 35 tables, as well as a sportsbook. There will also be a full-scale replica of the Tullis-Toledano Manor, which was also lost to Hurricane Katrina.

Long Beach Casino Development

Further to the west in Long Beach, the owners of Parrish’s Restaurant & Lounge are keen to redevelop the former Kmart location across from the restaurant into a casino and resort. Jim Parrish has proposed a plan that entails a 300-room hotel and a 40,000-square-foot casino, with Long Beach city officials continuing to review the proposal.

The exciting landscape of the Mississippi Gulf Coast holds promise for an influx of new casinos that could reshape the area’s gaming scene. With ongoing developments, potential growth could counterbalance the recent market declines.

As we keep an eye on these developments, the Mississippi Gulf Coast appears ready to embrace a vibrant, competitive spirit, creating opportunities not only for developers but also for the local economy.

Summary: The Mississippi Gulf Coast casino market, having faced challenges with declining revenues, is on the brink of a transformation with multiple new casino developments in the pipeline. Local investors and developers are motivated to bring innovative projects to fruition, promising to reshape the gaming landscape while fostering economic growth in the region.