Caesars looking to redevelop Mississippi casino

BILOXI, Mississippi -- Caesars Entertainment Corp. is exploring options for its Grand Biloxi Casino Hotel & Spa in Biloxi, Miss., that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, according to the Biloxi Sun Herald.

During a meeting of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, Daniel Real, the company’s new Southern Region President, said he and the new general manager of the Grand Biloxi are putting together updated options for the site.

“We’re going to come up with the best resolution for ourselves and the city of Biloxi,” Real said. “Everything is on the table.”

The company’s two casinos on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Grand Biloxi and Grand Gulfport, were heavily damaged by the August 2005 hurricane. The Gulfport casino was sold and has been rebuilt as the Island View Casino Resort.

Gaming operations for the Grand Biloxi were moved into a temporary facility and redevelopment plans, which included rebranding the property as the Margaritaville Casino, were put into place.

However, plans for the Margaritaville Casino were scrapped (the company that controls the name and brand inspired by singer Jimmy Buffet’s song of the same name is expected to open a Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant on Biloxi’s Back Bay area this spring).

Real said he believes there is an opportunity to increase revenue at the Biloxi casino while continuing to focus on customer service.

With the Super Bowl coming to New Orleans in 2013, Real said the Grand Biloxi also will benefit.

"We have a great opportunity to partner the Biloxi property with New Orleans,” he said.

The Caesars Entertainment Southern region includes Grand Biloxi, Harrah’s New Orleans Casino, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs and Horseshoe Casino & Hotel - Bossier City.