Harrah’s to Re-open Grand Casino Biloxi August 17

Las Vegas – Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. today announced that the Grand Casino Biloxi Hotel and Spa will re-open August 17, pending the receipt of all required regulatory approvals.

„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.“

Following a year-long renovation, 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 nearly completed hiring its 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.

Karen Sock, formerly assistant general manager of Grand Gulfport, now serves as the senior vice president and general manager of Grand Biloxi. Sock, with more than 20 years of experience in the gaming and hospitality industries, served as vice president of human resources at Harrah’s New Orleans before joining Grand Gulfport in June 2005.