The Gulf Coast, the US’s third largest casino market, is making a quick comeback after the August hurricanes that destroyed a dozen floating casinos.
Three of the re-opened casinos are reporting betting of $20 million a month on average, or almost double the pre-hurricane rate.
Seven more casinos are also scheduled to reopen in the next six months.
Said Larry Gregory, executive director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission:
“They’re coming back faster than I’d ever thought.”
Some estimates are that wagered amounts next year could be as high as $1.6 billion, a 20% increase from pre-Katrina days.
At least one area that has boasted casino revenues: hundreds of outside workers brought in help rebuild.
At least five other casinos plan to expand in Biloxi including Treasure Bay, Grand Casino, Beau Rivage, Boomtown and IP Hotel & Casino.
As a casino market, the Gulf Coast trails only Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Report by David Wilkening
