Biloxi Casino Gets Dice Rolling

The casinos were shuttered after suffering catastrophic damage during last summer’s hurricane Katrina, and have been undergoing extensive renovations and repairs. Now the region is poised to enter a new era as casino executives take advantages in changes to the law that allow casino resorts to build their gaming facilities on land. Previously all gambling had to take place on riverboats or specially constructed barges. To prevent a reoccurrence of the damage that took place last year, legislators are allowing a change in rules on where gaming can take place opening the door to the creation of resorts that are more Las Vegas in style and substance.

"Grand Biloxi's opening marks the first phase of our exciting master plan on the Mississippi Gulf Coast," said Anthony Sanfilippo, president of Harrah's Central Division. "The Grand is back with the kind of high-quality casino entertainment experience our customers have come to expect. We look forward to contributing to the restoration of the Gulf Coast's tourism industry, and are excited to see our employees back at work."

At Grand Biloxi, the new land-based casino features more than 800 slot machines and 28 table games; a 500-room hotel; a 300-seat Grand Buffet, an Asian Cafe, L.B.'s Steakhouse and Starbucks coffee shop; and the full-service Bellissimo Spa.

Grand Biloxi has hired about 1,500 employees. About 95 percent of the property's employees previously worked for the former Grand properties in Biloxi and Gulfport as well as the Harrah's Entertainment Mid-South Service Center.

During opening ceremonies last week Biloxi mayor A.J. Holloway thanked Harrah’s executives to their commitment to the local market and said a simple, "Welcome home."

He also hinted the property could expand across the street and the city would work to get that expansion approved as soon as possible.

Next week MGM Mirage will unveil its redesigned Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. The resort had traditionally been chosen as the market leader in consumer opinion polls, but now resort management has said the changes will take the resort to yet  another level.

"We've been given a rare chance to do it all over again, and we have embarked on an even greater vision," said George Corchis, President of Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. "We've gone beyond just restoring the favorite offerings of Beau Rivage and included the kinds of amenities, technology and services that resorts built years from now will begin to provide. When we reopen August 29, we intend for Beau Rivage to continue its legacy as a strong community leader and the crown jewel of the Mississippi Gulf Coast."

The hotel will features 1,740 newly remodeled rooms, including 95 suites while the casino will now feature a high-limit salon with its own fully stocked lounge; around-the-clock concierge services; and a variety of action-packed games, including 10 blackjack games, a high-limit roulette wheel and more than 100 slot machines.




The main 85,000 square foot casino will have 93 table games; 2,100 slot machines; and a 16-table, two-tiered poker room.

In December, Beau Rivage will add three new gourmet restaurants including one by renowned chef Todd English. English already has a branch of his Mediterranean inspired Olives restaurant at MGM’s Bellagio in Las Vegas as well as a restaurant at Mohegan Sun in CT. BR Prime Steakhouse is a classic American steakhouse with regional influence, complemented by an extensive 4,000-bottle wine cellar; and a contemporary Asian restaurant will dish out authentic sushi, teppanyaki and pan-Asian cuisine created from simple ingredients.

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