This year it’s been 15 years of gambling for Mississippi Coast casinos. To say more, it’s been their best August on record, as the gross gaming revenue amounted to $108.9 million. The figure has dropped by 12% in comparison with July (an all time record was set in July with the opening of the Hard Rock Casino – it was as high as $124.7 million), but still, it is a record.
Revenue at casinos in Mississippi’s river counties in August also dropped from $143 million to $130.9 million. As for the state revenue, with the Coast and river casinos lower, it also dropped. The total state revenue so far stands at $1.98 billion, while the goal is $3 billion.
Mike Bruffey, an associate with the Biloxi law firm of Brown Buchanan and a casino development consultant, claims that investors take into consideration the monthly revenue. So, the fluctuations “might impact the scope of their project”. Bruffey thinks that a key to expanding the marketing area of the casinos beyond the Coast is the expansion of Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport and more non-casino attractions.
