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Casinos Look for Cure to Wintertime Blues

"You could also toss in Thanksgiving, for that matter. And, really, the entire fall and early winter; October through December.

"…Of course, there were contributing factors to the industry's seasonal demise. The Y2K scare, for instance. And squabbling between the casino industry and local bus transit officials. Coast casinos and tourism officials spent some $300,000 on an advertising and marketing campaign blitz in the Atlanta area aimed at filling more seats on Air Tran Airlines, but it failed to generate any significant, immediate returns.

"…That's all about to change. The Gulf Coast Gaming Association, the industry's local trade group and lobby, is pondering various promotional events to lure gamblers to the Mississippi Sound.

"One thought raised at the group's meeting last Tuesday was to hold a major golf tournament. Another notion was a fishing rodeo. Both events would include million-dollar prizes, something that would generate publicity; perhaps even a spot on ESPN2.

"…One ploy the group might be able to pull off this year is a Christmas lights show. Casino executives agreed at the meeting to brighten up the outside of their buildings. And they will decide next month whether to hire a consultant to light up bridges leading to the Coast: the Bay St. Louis bridge, the I-110 bridge and the Ocean Springs bridge..."

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