Rebuilding the Gulf Coast

The major casino companies involved in the Gulf Coast have already announced that they intend to rebuild. But will it be on land or water?
Mississippi gov. Haley Barbour, speaking more broadly of the general reconstruction of the region, said that “if we rebuild the Coast and South Mississippi back just the way it was before, we will have failed.” So does that mean that the legislature will change the state’s gaming laws to allow for casinos on land?

From the LV Sun:

The governor would not say whether he will recommend the Legislature change state gaming laws. Barbour said he was waiting on a recommendation from the Mississippi Gaming Commission before offering any proposal.

Mississippi legalized dockside casinos in 1990, limiting them to already touristy areas on the waters of the Mississippi River or the Mississippi Sound. The first casinos opened in 1992.

The thriving gaming industry generated $500,000 a day in tax revenue before Katrina hit Aug. 29. More than half of the 13 coast casinos located — 12 that were already open and one that was set to open this month — were heavily damaged.

Mississippi special session may address gaming laws

My guess is that the half-million dollars a day in state revenue, plus the jobs and stimulus for further economic development, will outweigh any lingering desires to make the casinos remain on the water.

For all practical purposes, Mississippi has had “fixed” gambling sites for 13 years now. This is an opportunity to change the law to reflect that reality.