Page 6 - MGHA Annual Report, 2019

• On May 14, 2018, the United States Supreme Court issued its ruling in Murphy vs. NCAA, in which the Supreme Court ruled that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) impermissibly preempted the states from regulating sports betting on their own. In the immediate aftermath, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, West Virginia, New Jersey and Delaware adopted regulations to allow sports betting. Over the remainder of the year, Rhode Island, Arkansas and the District of Columbia, through various means, have authorized sports betting in their states, and a number of other states have legislation pending.
• The Mississippi Gaming Commission issued regulations pertaining to sports betting, and on Aug. 1, 2018, bettors placed the rst legal sports wagers in the state of Mississippi. In the subsequent four months, gross gaming revenue increased 5.25 percent over 2017, and 3 percent over the same four-month period in 2016. Additionally, gross gaming revenue for 2018 was on track to increase by approximately 2 percent from 2017. Meanwhile, the Pearl River Resort properties in Choctaw, Mississippi, became the rst tribal casinos in the U.S. to offer sports wagering.
• In October 2018, Penn National Gaming completed the acquisition of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. After the conclusion of the transaction, Penn is the largest regional gaming operator in North America, with 40 facilities in 18 jurisdictions, including six in Mississippi.
• The Mississippi Gaming and Hospitality Association selected its rst class of the Mississippi Gaming Hall of Fame. Inductees were Lyle Berman, co-founder of Grand Casinos; Jack Binion, founder of Horseshoe Gaming; William S. Boyd, executive chairman of Boyd Gaming; Bernie Goldstein, founder of Isle of Capri Casinos; State Senator Tommy Gollott; and Rick Carter and Terry Green, co-founders of Island View Casino Resort.
• Treasure Bay announced an expansion to include a new parking lot and parking garage and a 10,000 square foot increase in its gaming oor. Foundation Gaming Group added to its portfolio the Fitz Casino and Hotel in Tunica. Island View Casino Resort opened its new Beach Casino, a $75 million expansion including a 43,000-square-foot smoke free casino with 900 slots and 18 table games. The Mississippi Gaming Commission considered, and tabled, the proposal of Long Beach Harbor Resort for a gaming project in Long Beach, Mississippi.
• Sept. 6, 2018, Governor Phil Bryant signed the BP Oil Spill Legislation into law. The bill divides the money from the BP Oil Spill Settlement into a 75/25 percent split, with 75 percent going to the major coastal counties and 25 percent being divided across the state for special projects.
• On Oct. 26, 2018, the nal nine-mile segment of Interstate 269 opened in DeSoto County, Mississippi. The new DeSoto County section runs from I-55 to State Route 305. The completion of the section creates direct connectivity from I-40 in Tennessee to US-61 in Tunica County for travelers coming in from points east of Memphis.
• Tunica Roadhouse Casino will close its doors on Jan. 31, 2019. Caesars Entertainment attributed the closing to “persistent declines in business levels in the area stemming from increased competition.” Although the casino will close, the property’s hotel will remain operational. Experts say that sports betting, entertainment and Interstate 69 from Tunica to Hernando will keep casino businesses busy — good news for the Tunica market, which has overcome many challenges over the years.
(Above) Ribbon cutting for the new segment of Interstate 269 in DeSoto County. (Left) Island View Casino Resort’s new Beach Casino opens with a ribbon cutting.
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