Commission denies casino sites

The second time was not the charm for two potential casino developments in South Mississippi. The Gaming Commission ruled against requests to approve two sites, one in Biloxi and one in Diamondhead, at today’s gaming commission meeting held at the Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi, but the jury may not be out just yet. News 25’s Taylor Rubach was at today’s meeting and has more.
The sandy stretch of beach at the foot of Highway 90 and Veterans Avenue in Biloxi will not be home to a new casino, at least not yet. “The executive director recommends that the commission deny the request for approval.”
With that, a unanimous 3-0 decision strikes down RW Development’s proposal to use the site for a new Biloxi casino. The commission also rejected a request by Jacobs Entertainment to approve a site for the development of a casino in Diamondhead which would have been a first for the city. Diamondhead Mayor Tommy Schafer said, “Obviously officials are going to want to obtain economic development and gain for their communities. We didn’t even get to that point. The site approval comes first before we see what the project can look like, but we do have an approved site. Maybe something good will come out of this, maybe for reconsideration. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
At the commission’s last meeting in February, some residents and members of the Mississippi Gaming and Hospitality Association spoke out against both developments, pointing out that commissioners in the past had denied permits in 2008 and 2014 because they were illegal.
At Thursday’s meeting, the commissioners did not give any reasons for their decision and declined reporters’ requests for comments, but the attorney for the casino developers did weigh in. Attorney Michael Cavanaugh said, “Once again, I can’t say this enough. There were six experts on the subject, on both cases, that said the mean high water line is exactly where we said it was. There is zero legal evidence in the record that disputed that. So what they relied on, I can’t answer.”
Commissioners met in executive session for nearly an hour and a half during the meeting, citing potential litigation then voted to deny both applications, leaving many with more questions than answers. “I’m surprised that we didn’t get to present our agenda item like you normally do. I’m surprised they didn’t ask for further comment,” said Cavanaugh.
RW Development plans to appeal the commission’s decision. Cavanaugh tells News 25 there is no official word yet on whether Jacobs Entertainment will appeal the commission’s decision for the Diamondhead site.