The Senate today approved a bill that would limit casinos to the counties where they are already operating. Senate Bill 2199 passed 36-14. “After 15 or 16 years of legalized gaming, every county along the (Mississippi) river or the coast has had ample opportunity to approve it,” said Sen. Lee Yancey, R-Brandon, principle author of the bill.

Supervisor John McKay wants to put the proposed Choctaw casino in Jackson County away as an issue. He plans to push for a vote on a casino resolution endorsing the November 6 vote. In the non-binding referendum, 60 percent of the voters cast ballots against the casino. Supervisors brought the resolution forward in their November 13 meeting. However, due to the absence of Supervisor Frank Leach, a final decision was delayed.

The Jackson County Board of Supervisors postponed voting on a resolution that would declare the board opposed to a Mississippi Choctaw Band of Indians casino in the county. As Supervisor Frank Leach was absent, the officials agreed to wait until all five members are present for the vote, which has been set for the November 26 meeting. In e-mails sent to media and each supervisor, Leach said he had medical appointments.

Isle of Capri Casinos announced the termination of the lease in connection with its previously announced development project in west Harrison County, Mississippi. The lease provided for termination in the event that all of the conditions, including those related to permits and approvals, were not satisfied within the timeframe provided. Following termination of the lease, the company will record a pre-tax charge of approximately USD 5 million related to costs previously capitalized in connection with the proposed development.

Biloxi, Mississippi (AP) - The highway along the Mississippi Gulf Coast would be forlorn if not for the casinos, which are having their best year ever. The devastation of Hurricane Katrina has proven to be little more than a temporary setback to the conversion of formerly sleepy beachfront communities into the Las Vegas of the Deep South. Although affordable housing is scarce and businesses have trouble getting insurance coverage to rebuild since the storm, 11 casinos are open in Biloxi, Gulfport, Bay St. Louis and Lakeshore.

Biloxi, Mississippi - This seaside gambling resort along a stretch of the Gulf Coast, sometimes called the “redneck Riviera,” has 40 percent fewer hotel rooms and only two-thirds as many slot machines as it did before Hurricane Katrina. A major bridge that connects the casinos in this popular tourist destination to Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and other points east remains closed...