As reported by: The Sun Herald
By New Year's Eve, three of the Coast's 13 casinos should be back in business, but it will take months or years for others to rebuild.

The Mississippi Gaming Commission, which met in Biloxi on Thursday, asked casino companies to update them on rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina. All but two, Harrah's Entertainment and Pinnacle Entertainment, complied with the request.

Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway and Gulfport Mayor Brent Warr welcomed the commission.

"People are going to remember Biloxi not so much for how bad the destruction was, but for how great the recovery effort is going to be," Holloway said, speaking from a prepared speech. "You know, the difference between Camille and Katrina is that we have the tool to move forward - legalized gambling - and it's even better with on-shore gaming. We'll see more jobs, more visitors and more sustainable development."

Over the long term, state and local politicians say the industry will rebuild bigger and better because the Legislature changed state law after the hurricane to allow casinos to move ashore.

The three casinos that will open by the first of the year - Imperial Palace, Isle of Capri and the Palace - are all in Biloxi. Beau Rivage plans to reopen on Aug. 29, the anniversary of the hurricane. Treasure Bay also plans to reopen next year.

In Gulfport, the Copa Casino has announced that it will rebuild on land at the State Port, but the construction could take as long as two years. Harrah's Entertainment is negotiating with the port and the city to put a casino on the north side of U.S. 90 where it owns property, but the company has not committed to rebuilding.

Warr initially opposed legislation to allow casinos to go on the north side of U.S. 90 and threatened to lobby against a law change at the Capitol. However, he agreed not to fight the legislation as long as Gulfport could control casino development at the local level. After the Legislature changed the law, the Gulfport City Council endorsed the new legislation but gave the city administration oversight authority "to assure that casino and related facilities are in harmony with the standards and ideals for the developing community."


Article By: The Sun Herald