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Mississippi Casinos Urged to Buy from Minority Businesses

MISSISSIPPI – As reported by the Mississippi Commercial-Appeal: "

"Since the first casinos appeared in Tunica 12 years ago African-Americans have been enthusiastic patrons, gambling away millions of dollars to the casinos' corporate owners.

"Now Mississippi's black politicians want the casinos to reverse that flow of money.

"The Legislative Black Caucus is lobbying casinos to purchase goods and services from minority-owned businesses, arguing that the casinos can save money while returning something to a community on which it depends.

"It's estimated Mississippi's 29 casinos have $300 million to $400 million to spend on discretionary purchases, expenses that are not locked into one supplier like real estate or electricity. Less than 10 percent goes to minority-owned firms, said state Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson.

"…Horhn suggests it might be in the casinos' best interest to pay attention to the black caucus's concerns. Through its power as a voting bloc, the black caucus is in a position to shape the future of any possible increase in Mississippi's 12 percent casino tax, the regulatory issue perhaps of greatest concern to casino operators.

"…The casinos are listening, although some have been more responsive than others, Horhn said. Caesars Entertainment, which owns five Mississippi casinos, including the Grand, Bally's and the Sheraton in Tunica, has been the leader, making an intensive effort to deal with minority firms, he said…"

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