Heard it on the river: A look ahead to the New Year

Media world likes to focus on the events of the past year, but with the 2007 we had, who wants all that bad news rehashed. I, for one, have had enough of Iraq, daily bombings, Britney Spears, all celebs, steroids and HGH, global warming, Hillary and the rest of the wannabes, higher taxes and gas prices, food and toy recalls….when will all this insane stuff subside. Not in 2008, I am afraid.

Fortunately I have my own crystal ball, slightly muddy from last year, but clearing up as we head into a great 2008. What does it reveal, o swami?

How about Mississippi casinos decide to loosen all slots with 99 percent payback to combat at higher gas prices. Dow Jones jumps 50 percent and casinos decide to expand with new hotels, more gaming space and more amenities. Donald Trump calls Mississippi hottest growth market in the world and moves his headquarters here to be near his new 5,000 room TRUMP HEAVEN. The state cancels all property and sin taxes in wake of unprecedented tax windfall. MYRIAD ENTERTAINMENT, swamped with investors seeking to gain entry into the hot market, decides to build two indoor golf courses and expand its already huge complex into a mega super casino with a NASCAR race track circling the property.

Heck, I am always the optimist and love the wonderful world of casinos and prefer to think that 2008 will be a banner year for the industry because everything else surrounding it falls into place. Gas prices will drop, comps will be up, the Dow will continue to climb and there will be no inflation to worry about. Hilary, Obama, Rudi, John or Mitt will bring the troops home. Myriad will find its financing and possibly change the face of gaming in Northern Mississippi and I will break par at COTTONWOODS.

Hey, we can all dream, but don't give up your day job. Americans are resilient and that is what we should all bet on. We will wade through the mire and come out, not unscathed, but better for it and continue to show the barbarians at the gate why the ol' USA is still on its game.

But while that is all going on, here's reality. There is a place to escape for awhile and enjoy yourself. It's a place that offers lots of personal attention, loads of fun, and some insulation from 24-hour news networks. You can always find folks eager to play a game with you, and plasma TV's can be found tuned to popular sporting events. Yep, folks, I'm talking about TUNICA. HOLLYWOOD CASINO is giving away BOSE WAVE RADIOS in January. Slot players will have a chance to win a Bose Wave Radio II every 15 minutes from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Saturday in January. Guests who are actively playing on their Players Card will be randomly selected every 15 minutes to win. Dates for the Bose promotion are Jan. 5, 12, 19 and 26. SHERATON is launching a new round of HOT SPOT jackpots.

Guests playing on slot machines with their Total Rewards card Jan. 1 through Feb. 28 will be eligible to win a random Hot Spot Jackpot of up to $1,000 in downloadable credits. The Hot Spot Jackpots will hit up to four times per day. When the Hot Spot Jackpot hits, the Hot Spot Party Patrol will award the jackpot with a spontaneous jackpot party. All guests playing slots with their Total Rewards card when the Hot Spot Jackpot hits will win $5 in downloadable slot credits. Also at Sheraton, every Saturday during the month of January, the casino's guests will have a chance to win a brand new 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit or a share of $5,000 in Free Slot Play in the Hop Into A Rabbit Giveaway.

Win Sizzlin' Slot Dollars at Sam's Town in January. Play your favorite slot machines using your Prime Rewards card and earn free Slot Dollars. The number of points you earn on your card determines how much free money you receive. There are nine point tiers in this promotion and you could earn up to 1,000 Slot Dollars.

This month, enjoy Fights at the Fitz. Live boxing will take place on Saturday, Jan. 26 at Fitz. Tickets can be purchased at the Fitz Gift Shop for $35 or by credit card by calling (800) 766-5825. This event is always a knock-out, and a sellout. Act now to ensure a seat.

Gold Strike has given away over $580,000 in Free Play with three jackpots that are hot ticket items in Tunica: The Rapid Fire Jackpot, the Quick Fire Jackpot and the Sure Fire Jackpot. Rapid Fire Jackpots start at $500 and are guaranteed to hit by $1,000. Quick Fire Jackpots start at $5,000 and are guaranteed to hit by $10,000. SureFire Jackpots start at $150,000 and are guaranteed to hit by $200,000.

If you are playing with your players club card when the jackpot hits and your machine is the winning machine, you win. Membership in the MGM MIRAGE Players Club is free. As an added bonus, every players club cardholder playing slots at Gold Strike wins when the Sure Fire Jackpot hits. Sure Fire not only awards up to $200K in Free Play to one person, it also awards every cardholder playing slots with their card at the time of the jackpot $10 in Free Play.

The PROFESSIONAL COWBOY ASSOCIATION, returns its rodeo to Neshoba County Jan. 10-33 with some sponsor support from PEARL RIVER RESORT.

The WORLD SERIES of POKER and the WORLD POKER OPEN commence three weeks of play and Tunica is flooded with players from around the world, and the staff working these events are busy putting on events the entire poker world eagerly awaits every year.

And, the Isle of Capri hosts a $40,000 giveaway in January...and some bad news and good news...the ISLE OF CAPRI in Lula is closing its poker room but is giving back the $123,000 raised in the 'bad beat.' At the rate of $1,000 per hour for the high hand of the hour. It takes place Friday-Sunday and will end Jan. 27. if you visit, eat at FARRADDAYS and it will make your trip complete.

LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER. HAVE A GREAT YEAR!

In addition to being a senior consulting editor and columnist for Jackpot! Magazine, Rudi Schiffer is host of the GoodTimes Show, heard every Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Country Legends WMC 790 or on audiovegas.com.