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{{For|other Margaritaville casinos|Margaritaville Casino (disambiguation){{!}}Margaritaville Casino}}
{{For|other Margaritaville casinos|Margaritaville Casino (disambiguation){{!}}Margaritaville Casino}}
{{about|the Margaritaville Casino|the resort|Margaritaville Resort Biloxi}}


{{Infobox Casino
{{Infobox Casino
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| names_pre =
| names_pre =
| date_closed = September 15, 2014
| date_closed = September 15, 2014
| casino_type = Land
| casino_type = Land-based
| theme = [[Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville|Margaritaville]]
| theme = [[Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville|Margaritaville]]
| owner = MVB Holdings
| owner = MVB Holdings
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| rooms =
| rooms =
| space_gaming = {{convert|21000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| space_gaming = {{convert|21000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| retail space = {{convert|68000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| shows =
| shows =
| attractions =
| attractions =
| restaurants = [[Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville|Margaritaville]]
| notable_restaurants = [[Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville|Margaritaville]]
| renovations =
| renovations =
| website =
| website =
}}
}}
The '''Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant''' was a [[casino]] and [[restaurant]] in [[Biloxi, Mississippi]] in the [[United States]] that opened on May 22, 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=Margaritaville Biloxi opens with a concert heard 'round the country|first=Mary|last=Perez|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Gulfport, MS|date=May 22, 2012|accessdate=2012-05-23|url=http://www.sunherald.com/2012/05/22/3964798/margaritaville-biloxi-opens-with.html}}</ref> The {{convert|68000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} property is in the "Back Bay" area of Biloxi.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mississippi regulators certify Jimmy Buffet’s casino|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|agency=AP|date=May 17, 2012|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/may/17/us-margaritaville-casino/|accessdate=2012-05-17}}</ref> The casino closed on September 15, 2014.<ref name=Closed/>
The '''Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant''' is a closed [[casino]] and [[restaurant]] in [[Biloxi, Mississippi]] in the [[United States]]. The {{convert|68000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} property is in the "Back Bay" area of Biloxi.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mississippi regulators certify Jimmy Buffet's casino|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|agency=AP|date=May 17, 2012|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/may/17/us-margaritaville-casino/|accessdate=2012-05-17}}</ref> It opened on May 22, 2012 and closed on September 15, 2014. Its brand was licensed from [[Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville]].


==History==
==History==
[[Jimmy Buffett]], a native of nearby [[Pascagoula, Mississippi|Pascagoula]], tried to bring the Margaritaville brand to Biloxi as early as 2000, when discussions were held on building a hotel and amphitheater on 12 acres of beachfront land between the [[Casino Magic Biloxi Casino & Hotel|Casino Magic]] and [[Grand Casino Biloxi|Grand Casino]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Glut quiets casino boom: Plans begin to gather dust|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Gulfport, MS|publisher=via NewsBank|first=Dave|last=Palermo|date=July 30, 2000|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/0EB62276695A861B/0D6884C8DA6CD5B5?s_lang=en-US}} {{subscription required}}</ref>
[[Jimmy Buffett]], a native of nearby [[Pascagoula, Mississippi|Pascagoula]], tried to bring the Margaritaville brand to Biloxi as early as 2000, when discussions were held on building a hotel and amphitheater on 12 acres of beachfront land between the [[Casino Magic Biloxi Casino & Hotel|Casino Magic]] and [[Grand Casino Biloxi|Grand Casino]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWNB&docref=news/0EB62276695A861B&f=basic |title=Glut quiets casino boom: Plans begin to gather dust |newspaper=[[Sun Herald]] |via=[[NewsBank]] | first=Dave | last=Palermo |date=July 30, 2000}}</ref>


Following [[Hurricane Katrina]], [[Grand Casinos]] founder Tom Brosig came out of retirement and began looking for land to develop a casino, citing a desire to help rebuild the community. He settled on the Back Bay site where the Margaritaville Casino would ultimately open. According to Brosig, he nearly reached an agreement to use the Margaritaville brand in 2006.<ref name=ggb>{{cite news|title=Q&A with Tom Brosig|newspaper=Global Gaming Business|date=July 27, 2012|url=http://ggbmagazine.com/issue/vol-11-no-8-august-2012/article/q-a-with-tom-brosig|accessdate=2012-07-27}}</ref>
Following [[Hurricane Katrina]], [[Grand Casinos]] founder Tom Brosig came out of retirement and began looking for land to develop a casino, citing a desire to help rebuild the community. He settled on the Back Bay site where the Margaritaville Casino would ultimately open. According to Brosig, he nearly reached an agreement to use the Margaritaville brand in 2006.<ref name=ggb>{{cite news|title=Q&A with Tom Brosig|newspaper=Global Gaming Business|date=July 27, 2012|url=http://ggbmagazine.com/issue/vol-11-no-8-august-2012/article/q-a-with-tom-brosig|accessdate=2012-07-27|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124090313/http://ggbmagazine.com/issue/vol-11-no-8-august-2012/article/q-a-with-tom-brosig|archive-date=January 24, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


Buffett instead joined with [[Harrah's Entertainment]] in 2007 to begin construction on the $700-million Margaritaville Casino Resort on the site of the Casino Magic and Grand Casino,<ref name=groundbreaking>{{cite news|title=Margaritaville breaks ground|first=Mary|last=Perez|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Gulfport, MS|date=August 14, 2007|publisher=via NewsBank|accessdate=2012-05-23|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/11B1C52CB4A28C60/0D6884C8DA6CD5B5?s_lang=en-US}} {{subscription required}}</ref> which had both been destroyed by Katrina.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gulf casinos end worker aid|newspaper=San Diego Union-Tribune|agency=AP|first=Holbrook|last=Mohr|date=December 8, 2005|accessdate=2012-05-23|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/uniontrib/20051208/news_1b8casinos.html}}</ref> Buffett was partly motivated by a desire to help the region's economic recovery from Katrina.<ref name=groundbreaking /> Construction was suspended, however, in 2008, due to the [[2007–2012 global financial crisis|global financial crisis]] and Harrah's near-bankruptcy after being taken private.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hopes fade for quick restart on Harrah's casino|newspaper=The Tribune|location=Greeley, CO|agency=AP|first=Maria|last=Burnham|date=June 26, 2010|accessdate=2012-05-23|url=http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20100626/APF/1006260662}}</ref>
Buffett instead joined with [[Harrah's Entertainment]] in 2007 to begin construction on the $700-million Margaritaville Casino Resort on the site of the Casino Magic and Grand Casino,<ref name=groundbreaking>{{cite news|title=Margaritaville breaks ground|first=Mary|last=Perez|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Gulfport, MS|date=August 14, 2007|publisher=via NewsBank|accessdate=2012-05-23|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/11B1C52CB4A28C60/0D6884C8DA6CD5B5?s_lang=en-US}} {{subscription required}}</ref> which had both been destroyed by Katrina.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gulf casinos end worker aid|newspaper=San Diego Union-Tribune|agency=AP|first=Holbrook|last=Mohr|date=December 8, 2005|accessdate=2012-05-23|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/uniontrib/20051208/news_1b8casinos.html}}</ref> Buffett was partly motivated by a desire to help the region's economic recovery from Katrina.<ref name=groundbreaking /> Construction was suspended, however, in 2008, due to the [[Great Recession]] and Harrah's near-bankruptcy after being taken private.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hopes fade for quick restart on Harrah's casino|newspaper=The Tribune|location=Greeley, CO|agency=AP|first=Maria|last=Burnham|date=June 26, 2010|accessdate=2012-05-23|url=http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20100626/APF/1006260662}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


Meanwhile, Brosig continued his efforts on the Back Bay site, but had difficulty raising financing due to the financial crisis and the [[Deepwater Horizon oil spill]]. He was eventually able to assemble a total investment of $63 million, with "20 or 22" equity investors. A 20-year agreement was reached for the Margaritaville brand.<ref name=ggb />
Meanwhile, Brosig continued his efforts on the Back Bay site, but had difficulty raising financing during the [[Great Recession]] and the effects of the [[Deepwater Horizon oil spill]]. He was eventually able to assemble a total investment of $63 million, with "20 or 22" equity investors. A 20-year agreement was reached for the Margaritaville brand.<ref name=ggb />


Buffett and Brosig unveiled their plans in 2011, describing a {{convert|68000|sqft|abbr=on}}, $48-million Margaritaville Casino at the former East Harrison County Industrial Park, without the involvement of Harrah's (now Caesars Entertainment).<ref>{{cite news|title=New Margaritaville in the works|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Gulfport, MS|publisher=via NewsBank|first=Mary|last=Perez|date=January 13, 2011|accessdate=2012-05-23|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/134BC7818BFD3E90/0D6884C8DA6CD5B5?s_lang=en-US}} {{subscription required}}</ref> Groundbreaking was expected in April 2011 with a construction time of 9 months.<ref>[http://www.sunherald.com/2011/03/21/2961645/casino-on-hold-at-least-a-month.html "Casino on hold at least a month"], ''[[Sun Herald]]'', March 22, 2011</ref><br>
Buffett and Brosig unveiled their plans in 2011, describing a {{convert|68000|sqft|abbr=on}}, $48-million Margaritaville Casino at the former East Harrison County Industrial Park, without the involvement of Harrah's (now Caesars Entertainment).<ref>{{cite news|title=New Margaritaville in the works|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Gulfport, MS|publisher=via NewsBank|first=Mary|last=Perez|date=January 13, 2011|accessdate=2012-05-23|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/134BC7818BFD3E90/0D6884C8DA6CD5B5?s_lang=en-US}} {{subscription required}}</ref> Groundbreaking was expected in April 2011 with a construction time of 9 months.<ref>[http://www.sunherald.com/2011/03/21/2961645/casino-on-hold-at-least-a-month.html "Casino on hold at least a month"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322224913/http://www.sunherald.com/2011/03/21/2961645/casino-on-hold-at-least-a-month.html |date=2011-03-22 }}, ''[[Sun Herald]]'', March 22, 2011</ref>


In March 2011, plans for the location won fast track approval from the city of Biloxi but hit a speed bump with the Mississippi Gaming Commission. However, on April 7, Buffett appeared before the Mississippi Gaming Commission and explained why his latest plan for a Biloxi casino should be approved. Commissioners listened and then gave his project the okay.<ref>{{Citation | title = Buffett gets okay to open Margaritaville in Biloxi | url = http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=14404600 |accessdate = 2011-04-07}}</ref>
In March 2011, plans for the location won fast track approval from the city of Biloxi. On April 7, Buffett appeared before the Mississippi Gaming Commission and explained why the casino should be approved. Commissioners listened and then approved the project.<ref>{{Citation | title = Buffett gets okay to open Margaritaville in Biloxi | url = http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=14404600 | accessdate = 2011-04-07 | archive-date = 2012-03-13 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120313031522/http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=14404600 | url-status = dead }}</ref>


On May 22, 2012, the brand new Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant opened to the public at 8pm, featuring 820 slot machines, 18 table games, two levels of dining decks, and a marina with waterside entertainment, food, and drinks.
On May 22, 2012, the Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant opened to the public, featuring 820 slot machines, 18 table games, two levels of dining decks, and a marina with waterside entertainment, food, and drinks.<ref>{{cite news|title=Margaritaville Biloxi opens with a concert heard 'round the country|first=Mary|last=Perez|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Gulfport, MS|date=May 22, 2012|accessdate=2012-05-23|url=http://www.sunherald.com/2012/05/22/3964798/margaritaville-biloxi-opens-with.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525214726/http://www.sunherald.com/2012/05/22/3964798/margaritaville-biloxi-opens-with.html|archivedate=May 25, 2012}}</ref>


In June 2013, Margaritaville Biloxi became the first casino in Mississippi gaming history to offer outdoor gaming which includes three blackjack tables at LandShark Landing and Marina.
In June 2013, Margaritaville Biloxi became the first casino in Mississippi gaming history to offer outdoor gaming which includes three blackjack tables at LandShark Landing and Marina.


In December 2013, Doug Shipley, President & CEO, announced Margaritaville Biloxi will break ground on a new hotel facility in the spring with anticipated completion a year later. The new hotel would feature 250 rooms, including 170 deluxe guest rooms and 80 two- and three-bedroom suites. In addition, they would become one of the first resort properties to offer time-share units through a major international partner.
In December 2013, Doug Shipley, President & CEO, announced that Margaritaville Biloxi would break ground on a new hotel facility in the spring with anticipated completion a year later. The new hotel would feature 250 rooms, including 170 deluxe guest rooms and 80 two- and three-bedroom suites. In addition, they would offer [[timeshare]] units through a major international partner.


⚫
In July 2014, the casino announced that it would likely close by September, because of an unresolved dispute with the landlord that was blocking the financing needed to build the hotel.<ref>{{cite news|title=Margaritaville Casino to close|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Biloxi, MS|author=Mary Perez|date=July 21, 2014|url=http://www.sunherald.com/2014/07/21/5707539/margaritaville-casino-to-meet.html|accessdate=2014-07-21|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723063739/http://www.sunherald.com/2014/07/21/5707539/margaritaville-casino-to-meet.html|archivedate=July 23, 2014}}</ref> On September 15, 2014, Margaritaville Biloxi officially closed.<ref name=Closed>{{cite news|title=Margaritaville Casino Biloxi closes Monday, files for bankruptcy Tuesday|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Biloxi, MS|author=Mary Perez|date=September 16, 2014|url=http://www.sunherald.com/2014/09/16/5802771_the-day-after-margaritaville-casino.html?rh=1|accessdate=2014-09-18|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140918204229/http://www.sunherald.com/2014/09/16/5802771_the-day-after-margaritaville-casino.html?rh=1|archivedate=September 18, 2014}}</ref>
In July 2014, the casino announced that it would likely close by September, because of an unresolved dispute with the landlord that was blocking the financing needed to build the hotel.


The property was listed for sale in 2015 with an asking price of $18 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Piece of paradise: Former Margaritaville Casino for sale|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Biloxi, MS|author=Mary Perez|date=October 7, 2015|url=https://www.sunherald.com/news/business/casino-gambling/article38131788.html|accessdate=2019-03-27}}</ref>
On April 4th, 2016, Margaritaville Casino and Resort reopened to burgeoning crowds on the beach, in Biloxi. The new 22 story hotel includes a rooftop lazy river pool complex overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, in addition to numerous restaurants and a shopping esplanade. The beachfront location adds to the already exciting "Biloxi Strip" and is joined by other newcomer resorts such as the Pearl Resort on Biloxi's Back Bay, and the announcement of a new 350 million resort opening in 2017, Foxwoods;<ref><ref><ref></ref></ref></ref> the second gaming resort by the famed Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut.


In 2019, a new group of developers filed plans to reopen the casino as the Biloxi House at Point Cadet. Their $200-million project was to add a 300-room hotel and various other amenities to the site.<ref>{{cite news|title='Nothing's going to be the same.' A $200M plan for former Margaritaville site in East Biloxi|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Biloxi, MS|author=Mary Perez|date=March 22, 2019|url=https://www.sunherald.com/news/business/casino-gambling/article228281029.html|accessdate=2019-03-27}}</ref> Those plans were canceled because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic|coronavirus pandemic]].<ref name="Mohney">{{Cite web |last=MARY PEREZ {{!}} The Sun Herald |date=2023-08-10 |title=Margaritaville Casino in Biloxi just sold. Dick's Last Resort is part of the new plan. |url=https://www.nola.com/news/margaritaville-casino-in-biloxi-just-sold-dick-s-last-resort-is-part-of-the-new/article_d92ab46e-37c0-11ee-b085-a3066740f158.html |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=NOLA.com |language=en}}</ref>


In August 2023, after being closed for 9 years, the Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant complex was sold to MIC Limited,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-10 |title=Margaritaville Casino under new ownership |url=https://www.wxxv25.com/margaritaville-casino-under-new-ownership/ |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=WXXV News 25 |language=en-US}}</ref> a company owned by businessman [[Harry Mohney]] who has opened Cat's Meow karaoke bars and [[Dick's Last Resort]] restaurants in New Orleans.<ref name="Mohney"/> Plans call for transforming the former Margaritaville Casino into an entertainment venue with restaurants and bars.<ref name="Mohney"/>
⚫
<ref>{{cite news|title=Margaritaville Casino to close|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Biloxi, MS|author=Mary Perez|date=July 21, 2014|url=http://www.sunherald.com/2014/07/21/5707539/margaritaville-casino-to-meet.html|accessdate=2014-07-21}}</ref> On September 15, 2014, Margaritaville Biloxi officially closed.<ref name=Closed>{{cite news|title=Margaritaville Casino Biloxi closes Monday, files for bankruptcy Tuesday|newspaper=The Sun Herald|location=Biloxi, MS|author=Mary Perez|date=September 16, 2014|url=http://www.sunherald.com/2014/09/16/5802771_the-day-after-margaritaville-casino.html?rh=1|accessdate=2014-09-18}}</ref>


==See also==
==Other Margaritaville casinos==
* [[Cheeseburger in Paradise (restaurant)|Cheeseburger in Paradise]] (restaurant)
On March 30, 2011, BuffettNews.com reported that the Las Vegas Margaritaville at the Flamingo will be expanding to include its very own branded casino, which will be located adjacent to the existing Margaritaville Cafe.<ref>{{Citation | title = Margaritaville Casino to open in Las Vegas | url = http://www.buffettnews.com/2011/03/30/12071/ |accessdate = 2011-04-21}}</ref> The casino is scheduled to open October 1, 2011.<ref>{{Citation | title = Early peek at the Margaritaville Casino in Las Vegas | url = http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2011/09/first-look-at-the-margaritaville-casino-in-las-vegas/546079/1 |accessdate = 2011-09-17 | work=USA Today | date=September 9, 2011}}</ref>

On June 22, 2011, Paradise Casino LLC unveiled plans for a Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Casino and Hotel to be built east of [[Shreveport, Louisiana]] in neighboring [[Bossier City]]. The complex, a $170 million, 400-room resort, would include an 18- to 20-story hotel tower, 1,000-seat entertainment complex with a VIP balcony and an outdoor tropical area visible to the north from the [[Louisiana Boardwalk]].<ref>{{Citation | title = Bossier City Council Approves Negotiation For New Casino | url = http://www.ktbs.com/news/28318436/detail.html |accessdate = 2011-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | title = Margaritaville Hotel and Casino planned for Bossier City site | url = http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20110622/NEWS01/110622006/Margaritaville-Hotel-Casino-planned-Bossier-City-site |accessdate = 2011-06-22}}</ref>

On November 18, 2011 Bossier City Voters passed the bill, which will start groundbreaking for the new casino in January, 2012. The project is estimated to take 14-18 months to complete, and will provide more than 1,200 jobs to the [[Ark-La-Tex]].


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Casinos in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Casinos in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Resorts in the United States]]
[[Category:Resorts in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Biloxi, Mississippi]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Biloxi, Mississippi]]
[[Category:Jimmy Buffett]]
[[Category:Defunct casinos in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct casinos in the United States]]
[[Category:2014 disestablishments in Mississippi]]
[[Category:2014 disestablishments in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Casinos completed in 2012]]
[[Category:Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville|Casino and Restaurant]]
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2014]]

Latest revision as of 19:30, 4 September 2024

For other Margaritaville casinos, see Margaritaville Casino.
This article is about the Margaritaville Casino. For the resort, see Margaritaville Resort Biloxi.
Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant Biloxi
Front view of casino, June 2012
Location Biloxi, Mississippi
Address 160 5th Street
Opening dateMay 22, 2012
Closing dateSeptember 15, 2014
ThemeMargaritaville
Total gaming space21,000 sq ft (2,000 m2)
Notable restaurantsMargaritaville
Casino typeLand-based
OwnerMVB Holdings

The Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant is a closed casino and restaurant in Biloxi, Mississippi in the United States. The 68,000-square-foot (6,300 m2) property is in the "Back Bay" area of Biloxi.[1] It opened on May 22, 2012 and closed on September 15, 2014. Its brand was licensed from Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.

History

[edit]

Jimmy Buffett, a native of nearby Pascagoula, tried to bring the Margaritaville brand to Biloxi as early as 2000, when discussions were held on building a hotel and amphitheater on 12 acres of beachfront land between the Casino Magic and Grand Casino.[2]

Following Hurricane Katrina, Grand Casinos founder Tom Brosig came out of retirement and began looking for land to develop a casino, citing a desire to help rebuild the community. He settled on the Back Bay site where the Margaritaville Casino would ultimately open. According to Brosig, he nearly reached an agreement to use the Margaritaville brand in 2006.[3]

Buffett instead joined with Harrah's Entertainment in 2007 to begin construction on the $700-million Margaritaville Casino Resort on the site of the Casino Magic and Grand Casino,[4] which had both been destroyed by Katrina.[5] Buffett was partly motivated by a desire to help the region's economic recovery from Katrina.[4] Construction was suspended, however, in 2008, due to the Great Recession and Harrah's near-bankruptcy after being taken private.[6]

Meanwhile, Brosig continued his efforts on the Back Bay site, but had difficulty raising financing during the Great Recession and the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. He was eventually able to assemble a total investment of $63 million, with "20 or 22" equity investors. A 20-year agreement was reached for the Margaritaville brand.[3]

Buffett and Brosig unveiled their plans in 2011, describing a 68,000 sq ft (6,300 m2), $48-million Margaritaville Casino at the former East Harrison County Industrial Park, without the involvement of Harrah's (now Caesars Entertainment).[7] Groundbreaking was expected in April 2011 with a construction time of 9 months.[8]

In March 2011, plans for the location won fast track approval from the city of Biloxi. On April 7, Buffett appeared before the Mississippi Gaming Commission and explained why the casino should be approved. Commissioners listened and then approved the project.[9]

On May 22, 2012, the Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant opened to the public, featuring 820 slot machines, 18 table games, two levels of dining decks, and a marina with waterside entertainment, food, and drinks.[10]

In June 2013, Margaritaville Biloxi became the first casino in Mississippi gaming history to offer outdoor gaming which includes three blackjack tables at LandShark Landing and Marina.

In December 2013, Doug Shipley, President & CEO, announced that Margaritaville Biloxi would break ground on a new hotel facility in the spring with anticipated completion a year later. The new hotel would feature 250 rooms, including 170 deluxe guest rooms and 80 two- and three-bedroom suites. In addition, they would offer timeshare units through a major international partner.

In July 2014, the casino announced that it would likely close by September, because of an unresolved dispute with the landlord that was blocking the financing needed to build the hotel.[11] On September 15, 2014, Margaritaville Biloxi officially closed.[12]

The property was listed for sale in 2015 with an asking price of $18 million.[13]

In 2019, a new group of developers filed plans to reopen the casino as the Biloxi House at Point Cadet. Their $200-million project was to add a 300-room hotel and various other amenities to the site.[14] Those plans were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.[15]

In August 2023, after being closed for 9 years, the Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant complex was sold to MIC Limited,[16] a company owned by businessman Harry Mohney who has opened Cat's Meow karaoke bars and Dick's Last Resort restaurants in New Orleans.[15] Plans call for transforming the former Margaritaville Casino into an entertainment venue with restaurants and bars.[15]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Mississippi regulators certify Jimmy Buffet's casino". Las Vegas Sun. AP. May 17, 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-17.
  2. ^ Palermo, Dave (July 30, 2000). "Glut quiets casino boom: Plans begin to gather dust". Sun Herald – via NewsBank.
  3. ^ a b "Q&A with Tom Brosig". Global Gaming Business. July 27, 2012. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  4. ^ a b Perez, Mary (August 14, 2007). "Margaritaville breaks ground". The Sun Herald. Gulfport, MS: via NewsBank. Retrieved 2012-05-23. (subscription required)
  5. ^ Mohr, Holbrook (December 8, 2005). "Gulf casinos end worker aid". San Diego Union-Tribune. AP. Retrieved 2012-05-23.
  6. ^ Burnham, Maria (June 26, 2010). "Hopes fade for quick restart on Harrah's casino". The Tribune. Greeley, CO. AP. Retrieved 2012-05-23.[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ Perez, Mary (January 13, 2011). "New Margaritaville in the works". The Sun Herald. Gulfport, MS: via NewsBank. Retrieved 2012-05-23. (subscription required)
  8. ^ "Casino on hold at least a month" Archived 2011-03-22 at the Wayback Machine, Sun Herald, March 22, 2011
  9. ^ Buffett gets okay to open Margaritaville in Biloxi, archived from the original on 2012-03-13, retrieved 2011-04-07
  10. ^ Perez, Mary (May 22, 2012). "Margaritaville Biloxi opens with a concert heard 'round the country". The Sun Herald. Gulfport, MS. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-23.
  11. ^ Mary Perez (July 21, 2014). "Margaritaville Casino to close". The Sun Herald. Biloxi, MS. Archived from the original on July 23, 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
  12. ^ Mary Perez (September 16, 2014). "Margaritaville Casino Biloxi closes Monday, files for bankruptcy Tuesday". The Sun Herald. Biloxi, MS. Archived from the original on September 18, 2014. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
  13. ^ Mary Perez (October 7, 2015). "Piece of paradise: Former Margaritaville Casino for sale". The Sun Herald. Biloxi, MS. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  14. ^ Mary Perez (March 22, 2019). "'Nothing's going to be the same.' A $200M plan for former Margaritaville site in East Biloxi". The Sun Herald. Biloxi, MS. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  15. ^ a b c MARY PEREZ | The Sun Herald (2023-08-10). "Margaritaville Casino in Biloxi just sold. Dick's Last Resort is part of the new plan". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  16. ^ "Margaritaville Casino under new ownership". WXXV News 25. 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2023-09-05.

30°24′06″N 88°51′35″W / 30.40167°N 88.85972°W / 30.40167; -88.85972

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