SEARCH NEWS:

 

Mississippi Casino Storm Brewing

JACKSON, Mississippi – As reported by the Biloxi Sun Herald: "Religious leaders carried signs and shouted about the evils of gambling outside the Capitol on Tuesday as hordes of casino execs, Coast leaders and lobbyists courted lawmakers inside.

"Hurricane Katrina is spawning a new storm, this one political, as Mississippi lawmakers in special session ponder whether to let destroyed casinos rebuild on dry land instead of the floating barges to which they were previously restricted.

"'I'm here representing my lord and savior, Jesus Christ,' the Rev. Kendall Boutwell of Brookhaven told the House Gaming Committee at the start of a lengthy hearing. Boutwell said gamblers are covetous, in violation of the 10th commandment, and are idolaters.

"…Boutwell responded that the Coast should create more wholesome tourist attractions, like Dollywood.

"Gov. Haley Barbour has asked lawmakers to allow casinos to move ashore. Barbour, who campaigned on the promise of not letting casino gambling spread beyond the few counties where it has been legal since the early '90s, said allowing them onshore by up to 1,500 feet will not compromise that "no expansion" promise.

"Many view the onshore move as the only way to rebuild the industry, the only way investors and insurance companies will sign on. Others view it as a slippery slope to the spread of casinos statewide…"

< Gaming News