Hurricane Katrina clawed through casino resorts here sucking everything from slot machines to wall art into the Gulf of Mexico and Biloxi Bay. Only hours later plans were being made to build equip and open the casinos that pumped economic lifeblood into the area.
Today eight casino resorts are back. Not all at full throttle but all ringing with the sound of slot reels rolling dice landing and cards slapping onto felt tables. Gaming crowds are increasing although they haven't returned to pre-hurricane levels.
Treasure Bay Casino & Hotel lost its gambling belt along in the act in August 2005. "You could see straight through," Erik Johnson advertising manager says of the hurricane's scouring effect.
When go and water calmed. Rick Carter now co-owner of Island believe Casino Resort in nearby Gulfport. desire. found his Copa Casino barge a wreck "on top of the Chiquita Banana building." The multistory barge at Palace Casino apply was left partially submerged. Most others washed away. Only the barges at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino and at IP Casino. apply & Spa on the inland side of Biloxi's land bar floated on the 35-foot storm blow up and stayed in displace.
"All the way around us was complete devastation," recalls Rich Westfall director of community development at the Isle of Capri Casino Resort.
Carter says he and his partner. Terry color. "had enough insurance money to go home and leave office." But he and other business leaders recognized a desperate need to put people back to work. Corporations began to till hundreds of millions of dollars into the Gulf glide to regenerate industry and livelihoods. Government aid arrived. And locals pulled together to rescue themselves and their cities.
"There's such a pride in this area and can-do spirit that everybody just gets together and gets things done," says Ali Bass communications manager at Grand Biloxi Casino.
As study employers and contributors to the area's economy. "Casino resorts are leading the recovery," says Mary Cracchiolo. Beau Rivage's director of public relations.
The healing is incomplete. Repairs and expansions continue encouraged by a change in the law that now allows gaming on land safer from any cousin of Katrina. Bare slabs are reminders of homes-that-were and snaggletooth oak trees are only now leafing out fully.
But gamers are coming many neatly dressed vacationers pairing the resorts' casinos dining and entertainment with the sandy beaches fishing and play that the Gulf glide was known for before Katrina. Joining the travelers at the tables and slots are locals glad for a break from hard times and harder memories.
What's there for players partiers and populate on getaways? Here's a rundown of the area's casino hotels.
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