MS Gaming Commission Gives Diamondhead Green Light on Casino

The Mississippi Gaming Commission has given the Diamondhead Casino Corporation the green light to build a new casino. Diamondhead may soon be welcoming a new casino of its very own, and residents who were previously skeptical say they’re looking forward to the opportunities gaming will bring.

Mario Feola, a Diamondhead resident, says, “It will definitely increase revenue. It’ll increase values because people are going to want to live fairly close to where they work and the south side for upper management would be a tremendous place to live.”

Feola says current attractions, like boating, marinas, the airport, golf courses, and country clubs all make Diamondhead a winning hand for a new casino. Mayor Tommy Schafer has big plans for further development. Schafer says, “Diamondhead is a resort-type community, a bedroom community, and we already have a tremendous amount of amenities to offer. This is simply going to raise the bar, it is going to enhance the community of Diamondhead.”

Earlier this year, Jacobs Entertainment asked the Gaming Commission for permission to build a casino between the north and south side of Diamondhead. Residents worried about heavy traffic right in the middle of their neighborhood. The new location makes it a win-win for everyone. Schafer also says, “This is one and a half, one and three quarters away from the nearest house. So it is on a large piece of property all by itself. Residential is in one area, commercial gaming is in another.”

The new property is 400 acres, which developers are calling a complete tourism matrix. Feola closes, “It has an amphitheater, spa, hotel, a lot of family-oriented recreation, which is what we need.”

Developers will now put together a financial package to present to the Gaming Commission.