Page 2 - MGHA - Annual Report, 2018

The Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association was chartered in 1993 originating as a unified group of casino executives operating as the Gulf Coast Gaming Association. The association grew into a statewide association
and, in 2005, began operating as
the Mississippi Casino Operators Association in accordance with section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code. In 2013, the association changed
its name to Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association (MGHA).
MGHAworks in cooperation with
the American Gaming Association
in Washington, D.C. As of the date
of this report, all 28 commercial casinos operating in Mississippi
are members of MGHA. Also, MGHA’s membership includes approximately 50 associate members including various professional service providers,
vendors from other state associations that support the gaming, hospitality and tourism industry — the fourth largest industry in Mississippi.The goals of the association are to ensure the industry remains competitive and strong so it can continue to be a healthy contributor to the overall economy.
With that in mind, MGHA has
through collaboration come up with recommendations to support its goals:
• Encourage resort-style casino developments in Mississippi through tourism incentive programs. Tourism-related activities should include well-capitalized gaming resort projects and encourage other non-gaming amenities.
• Avoid policies that single out gaming from the tourism industry or puts an unfair burden upon the gaming industry.
• Maintain Mississippi’s stable gaming regulatory environment.
• Invest in post-secondary curricula that will provide residents with the training and
education needed to have an immediate
impact on Mississippi’s $6 billion tourism
industry and make the state’s workforce more
competitive.
• Continue to support the state’s and the
industry’s initiatives to combat problem gambling.
The Mississippi gaming industry began in 1992 with a single riverboat in Biloxi. It has grown into a well-capitalized economic sustainer during the past 25 years and is a vital part of the overall tourism industry. In 2017, the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) Tourism office reported a total of 23.5 million out-of-state visitors, while the casinos reported 13.5 million out-of-state visitors in the same period. Using these figures, MGHA estimates 6 out of 10 visitors coming to Mississippi will visit a casino. MGHA will continue its collaborative efforts to increase the number of visitors to our state.
MGHA STAFF
Larry Gregory, Executive Director
Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association
STREET AND MAILING ADDRESS:
120 N. Congress Street, Suite 420, Jackson, MS 39201 OFFICE: 601/965-6992
FAX: 601/965-6993
lgregory@msgaming.org
Michael Bruffey, Deputy Director
Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association
STREET ADDRESS:
12268 Intraplex Parkway, Gulfport, MS 39501
MAILING ADDRESS:
PO Box 454, Biloxi, MS 35933-0454 OFFICE: 228/385-7707 x 317
FAX: 228/385-7705 mikebruffey@msgaming.org
WWW.MSGAMING.ORG
The MGHA website is a valuable resource of information relevant to our industry here in Mississippi. It includes an updated list of members and associate members, updated news in our Press Room, our monthly newsletter, annual reports, studies, analysis and more.
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