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Mississippi Casino Panel Considers Storm Options

BILOXI, Mississippi – As reported by the Biloxi Sun Herald: "Members of a committee studying how to legally protect the Coast's gambling barges from storm damage mulled their options Tuesday in their first meeting since a judge barred Treasure Bay from moving its casino to a more secure location.

"The committee pursued two angles of action: making structural improvements to the way gambling barges are moored or asking the Legislature to change state law to allow land-based casinos in coastal areas. Leonard A. 'Len' Blackwell II, the chairman of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, advocated going to the Legislature.

"On Aug. 4, Circuit Judge Robert H. Walker struck down a permit allowing Treasure Bay to move its barge into a man-made basin. Walker ruled that the basin would not be a legal gaming site and that only the Legislature had the authority to change the legal definition.

"The commission and the casino have asked the judge to reconsider his decision, but Blackwell stressed that his comments were general to the broader discussion and not specific to the court case.

"…Blackwell said the committee needs to communicate well with the Legislature and set up a list of limitations to what it is recommending so lawmakers will know there will not be a 'radical proposal.'…"

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