Page 6 - MGHA - Annual Report, 2017

AND CURRENT
• 2016 marked the beginning of the 25th year
of gaming in Mississippi. Gaming tax revenue generated by Mississippi casinos is set to reach $6.5 billion by the industry’s 25th anniversary in 2017 — enough to fund the entire state budget for a single year.
• In 2016, the Mississippi gaming industry supported an estimated 21,250 direct jobs with a payroll exceeding $686 million with benefits of more
than $207 million for a total of $893 million.When taking into account the Native American gaming
in Mississippi, payroll and benefits exceeded $927 million.
• The Mississippi Tourism office (Visit Mississippi) estimates that in 2016 there were 23 million visitors to Mississippi with an estimated total spend of $6.3 billion.
• In 2016, the gaming industry brought in more than 14.3 million out-of-state visits to Mississippi.Adding more than 9 million visits by Mississippians in 2016, commercial casinos generated gross revenue of $2.895 billion and $2.119 in gaming revenue, an increase of 1 percent year over year.
• In 2016, the gaming industry celebrated new projects and developments, including millions spent by operators on hotel and casino renovations, new restaurants and capital improvements, as well as Margaritaville Hotel & Resort that opened in Biloxi (a non-gaming venue).The industry generated $776 million in non-gaming revenue, a .4 percent increase over prior year.
• Several more non-gaming developments are planned for the future, including a Galleria outdoor mall in D’Iberville, an aquarium in Gulfport, new hotel developments in Biloxi, a Sportsplex in Vicksburg, an outdoor entertainment venue in Tunica and more.
• Isle of Capri Biloxi had the distinction of being the first dockside riverboat casino to open in the United States, on Aug. 1, 1992. In 2016, almost 25 years later, Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. announced the sale of its assets to Eldorado Resorts Inc. for $1.7 billion.
• In September 2016, the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL) recognized Allen Godfrey, executive director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, as Regulator of the Year for North America.
MGC Executive Director Allen Godfrey (third from left) with some of the MGHA team, Justin Carter, secretary; Cathy Beeding, treasurer; Larry Gregory, executive director; Mike Bruffey, deputy director; and Lee Dillard, chair.
• In 2016, the state of Mississippi began receiving the settlement funds stemming from the Deepwater Oil Horizon tragedy that occurred in April 2010. In 2016, Mississippi received $150 million. Overall, the settlement will bring more than $1.5 billion to the state over the next 17 years with $40 million to be paid each year from 2019 through 2033.
• In 2016, the Mississippi Legislature passed HB 1074 and created the Economic Development Infrastructure Fund (EDI Fund).The legislature also appropriated $2.5 million to the EDI Fund (from the BP Settlement) to promote air service to eligible regional airports in the state.
• Looking forward to 2017, Mississippi leaders are urged to continue supporting improvements in air service and other amenities to keep the Mississippi gaming and tourism markets attractive and accessible.
MILESTONES
STATE
OF THE INDUSTRY
& HIGHLIGHTS 2016