GULF COAST REBUILT
friendly environment. As a single property, we are buying an awfully good group of people, and will inherit their talented management team,” says Chakmak. By next summer, Boyd will spend an additional $44 million for HVAC heating/air conditioning system upgrading and casino/restaurant barge improvements on the water. Other property openings are also pending. Singer Jimmy Buffet’s new Margaritaville Restaurant and Casino has a scheduled 2012 opening. Three miles north of Biloxi, land- locked D’Iberville will welcome the Can Can gaming complex. Included on the site will be a $75 million educational Oceanarium, with water pumped in from the Gulf. The Gulf Coast tourist industry realizes its regional
“ownership” of gaming has ended. In late 1992, Mississippi and six distant states offered gaming. Now, 22 states operate commercial or racino gaming, excluding tribal sites.
“Of the 80,000 current tourism employees, Mississippi gaming directly employs more than 20,000, or 25 percent of these jobs”
The hospitality industry must aggressively
market and extend tourist options beyond locals or drive-in day visitors. Hornsby states, “Our challenge is ensuring former and new guests think of us again.” Politically, Mississippi will elect a new governor in November. The new chief executive can significantly
influence the industry’s operations, but most expect the new governor will remain supportive. Hospitality operations rely on a cooperative
government, and Shipley believes it is inevitable. He says, “Of all the jurisdictions I’ve worked in, Mississippi’s government and business have a healthy relationship. They get it.” A new professional era will begin when the Mississippi Casino Operators Association (MCOA) officially relocates to Jackson, the state capital. The move will facilitate communications between Mississippi’s government and its multiple gaming communities. In September, former Mississippi Gaming Commission Executive Director Larry Gregory became the new MCOA executive director. He exited the Commission after 10 years as executive director. Gregory’s regulatory expertise helped him draft the “800-feet” law. Optimists who see a brighter future are
everywhere. As Corchis says, “Despite setbacks from Hurricane Katrina, the sluggish economy and last summer’s BP oil spill, the casino resort industry remains the economic engine for both the region and Mississippi tourism. “Of the 80,000 current
tourism employees, Mississippi gaming directly employs more than 20,000, or 25 percent of these jobs. The casino resort industry also has a significant ancillary impact locally since many secondary businesses benefit from Mississippi’s casino resort industry.
“Gulf Coast gaming is
pivotal to Mississippi tourism. Unlike convenience gaming elsewhere, the Gulf Coast offers a true resort destination.”
32 OCTOBER 2011
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