Finally some good news along the Coast…
The Palace Casino in Biloxi on Tuesday announced plans for the largest casino expansion on the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina hit four years ago.
“Do you want to be ready for the recovery when it occurs or catching up after it occurs,” Crosby said of the expansion’s scheduled completion in spring 2011.
Palace plans a 64,000-square-foot expansion that will include 38,000 square feet of gaming space, new dining and entertainment venues and a spa. “We are getting the casino out of the hotel,” Crosby said.
Once completed, Palace will be nearly 110,000 square feet, about triple its existing space.
Crosby estimated the company’s total investment in the property could reach $120 million when construction is completed.
MGM Mirage, the mega gaming corporation is looking for extra liquidity in this global financial crisis. They have looked to increase market share in Biloxi and with the downturn in attendance and economic mobility they see opening up ownership in their Biloxi Properites as a way to weather some of the storm. They have publicly stated that they do not want to sell any of their Las Vegas Casinos that include the MGM Grand, the Mirage, and others. Their properties worldwide include:
Las Vegas, Nevada
* Bellagio Hotel/Casino (Designer Steve Wynn)
* The Mirage (Designer Steve Wynn)
* Luxor
* Mandalay Bay
o THEhotel at Mandalay Bay
* MGM Grand Las Vegas
o The Signature at MGM Grand
* Monte Carlo Hotel/Casino
* New York-New York Hotel/Casino
* Excalibur
* Circus Circus
* Slots-A-Fun Casino
* CityCenter (opening 2009)
Also in Nevada
* Circus Circus Reno, Reno, Nevada
* Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Reno, Nevada
* Railroad Pass, Henderson, Nevada
* Nevada Landing Hotel and Casino, Jean, Nevada
* Gold Strike Hotel and Gambling Hall, Jean, Nevada
* Primm Valley Golf Club
* Shadow Creek Golf Course, North Las Vegas, Nevada
Other properties
* Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi (Designer Steve Wynn)
* Gold Strike Resort and Casino, Tunica, Mississippi
* MGM Grand Detroit, Detroit Michigan (98% owner in partnership with Partners Detroit, L.L.C.)
* MGM Grand Atlantic City – newly announced casino to be built between Borgata and Harrahs
* Borgata Hotel/Casino and Spa, Atlantic City New Jersey
* MGM Grand Macau, Macau, China
* MGM Grand at Foxwoods
* MGM Grand Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
* The Bellagio Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
* MGM Grand Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
* Skylofts Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirate
Imperial Palace Biloxi gets Newest Games
The Imperial Palace Biloxi has just purchased the newest electronic games package on the market. IGT is one of the most advanced eletronic games of chance manufacturer in the world. They have created the first automated Poker room and Baccarrat machine. Golden Baccarat is IGT’s automated card game which uses a virtual dealer displayed on an LCD screen. The IP Biloxi will be incorporating their new technology into their casino floor as soon as possible. They will be adding over 100 games to their inventory. This should make the IP the most advanced and exciting Casino in Biloxi!
We knew for a long time that they slowed down construction, but now it looks like it is official. At the game summit yesterday:
John Payne, president of Harrah’s Entertainment Central Division, said construction has stopped on Margaritaville Casino, yet singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett remains tied to the resort.
“We are still passionate about the project,” Payne said. The company eventually hopes to get the resort built in Biloxi, he said. “We’ll know more in six to nine months.”
We will post more details when we get them.
We have some great news for both Biloxi and Florida residents. On June 1, Continental Airlines will begin nonstop service from Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport to Tampa and Jacksonville.
Service will begin by operating three days a week in each market. Flights are supported by Grand Casino Biloxi and IP Casino Resort. Seats, on sale now, also are available to the public. I am sure if more casinos add these flights to their packages they will increase the flight days.
“We are so pleased to once again offer nonstop service into Florida,” said Travis Lott Jr., chairman of Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport Authority. “We appreciate the support of Continental Airlines, Grand Casino Biloxi, and IP Casino Resort in bringing back these highly demanded routes and look forward to growing this service.”
Continental will offer flights on a 50-seat plane on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday into Jacksonville and Monday, Thursday, and Saturday into Tampa. A 50 seat plane is pretty small, I am sure the popular times will fill up quickly, so make sure you book your flights in advance…
Plane will look like the one in this picture:
It now looks like MGM Mirage will be taking bids on the Beau Rivage.
A representative for MGM Mirage told FOX5 Tuesday the company had asked Morgan Stanley to consider any incoming bids for its properties, but did not comment on a possible deadline reported in the New York Post.
MGM would not comment on that report, but it is accepting bids for non-Vegas properties including the MGM Grand Detroit, the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Miss., and Gold Strike in Tunica, Miss.
I will keep everyone updated when we were hear more. I wonder if a local company will try to purchase it…
That is the question we are hearing a lot of people asking. If you haven’t heard, MGM Mirage is having some financial issues and where exploring options of selling some of their casinos.
MGM Mirage has tapped Morgan Stanley to help with the possible sales of MGM Grand Detroit and Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Miss., according to The Wall Street Journal. Las Vegas-based MGM Mirage may receive between $1 billion and $2 billion for the properties, the report said.
We haven’t heard too much about an official sale, so as of right now it looks like a possibility. More information coming soon..
Blackjack Tournaments are in full effect over at the Hard Rock!
Don’t miss out on the weekly tourneys.
Now every Sunday and Wednesday for your chance to win! Tournament sign-up begins at 5:00 pm at the Casino Cage, Tournametn begins at 6:00 PM.
Both days require a $20 buy-in fee. We are not sure the exact payout because that has to do with the total number of players for the event.
It sure doesn’t seem like 10 years to me, but happy birthday to the Beau Rivage in Biloxi. One of the finest hotel casinos on the coast has been opened 10 years!
Ten years to the day after Beau Rivage Resort and Casino opened in Biloxi on March 16, 1999, the 517 people who have worked there since Day 1 were saluted by the management.
The marquee in front of the resort scrolled the names of all the legacy employees Monday, and inside everyone working the three shifts was treated to a special meal including crab legs, crawfish, shrimp and prime rib.
Beau Rivage cost $800 million to build. It reopened in 2006, one year after Hurricane Katrina and after undergoing $550 million in repairs and renovations. The resort has about 2,300 employees.
“The secret to why we’re so successful is our employees,” said Corchis.
The event is geared towards honoring the employees, but I am sure they will have some promotions or events coming up geared towards the players. Maybe even some special chips, we will post updates here.
It seems when most people talk about headliners, concerts, and shows in Biloxi they usually bring up the Beau Rivage and Hard Rock. However, don’t count out the IP. They do not slack when it comes to live entertainment.
Here is a list of upcoming performers.
Trace Adkins, Friday Feb. 27
Kellie Pickler, Saturday Feb. 28
Loretta Lynn and Kansas, March 6
Mike Epps, March 7
New Kids on the Block, March 14
“Country Legends” featuring TG Shepard, Bill Anderson and Janie Fricke, March 20
Heidi Newfield and Julianne Hough, March 21
Gary Allan, March 27
Mickey Gilley, April 3
The Summit Tour featuring Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill, April 17
Gretchen Wilson, April 18
The Gatlin Brothers, May 1
Carlos Mencia, May 1-2
Glen Campbell, May 15
DL Hughley, May 15
For other shows, events, and concerts visit:
Biloxi Entertainment
Biloxi Concerts
Biloxi Tickets
