Heard it on the River: Pearl River continues to thrive

6 September 2011

By Rudi Schiffer

With all the gloom and doom surrounding the gaming business, (unless you own a Macau casino) Pearl River Resort continues to buck the bad economy with some strong projections for 2012. Here is a thumbnail summary of what the Mississippi Band of Choctaws forecast for the coming year, according to GENERAL PAUL HARVEY, president and CEO of the Resort in southeast central Mississippi.

The Tribe is bullish and anticipates a 20 percent increase in earnings from gaming operations with net profits increasing from a projected $83.3 million to $100.4 million next fiscal year. A major component of the increase was from the success of the new Bok Homa Casino in Jones County near Hattiesburg, MS. These numbers may surprise some observers but not the Choctaws led by MIKO BEASLEY DENSON whose administration has overseen steady financial growth in the increase of net profits over the past three years.

The 10,000 plus owners, the men, women and children of the Band, are happy. Distribution of earnings to Choctaw tribal members is expected to increase in the next fiscal year from $46 million to $55 MILLION.

One of the most severe casualties of the GREAT FLOOD of 2011 was RIVER BEND LINKS situated near Sam's Town Tunica Hotel & Gambling Hall, Hollywood Casino - Tunica and Resorts Casinos Tunica. But President DAVID PATE told Heard It On The River that work is progressing on target to restore this unique Scottish style layout.

Right now work is proceeding to replant the greens and get them in shape and that is key to getting the course playable again. It is expected to be about 8 weeks or so before the course is ready to re-open. Stay tuned.

BOK HOMA, the petite casino owed by the Mississippi Band of Choctaws, may not be a huge operation but it pays out big jackpots on its penny machines as witnessed recently by a $253,069.89 payout. A guy named SKIP from Miami of all places, hit the biggie on a TARZAN LORD OF THE JUNGLE device. A new GM will be giving away jackpot checks now as ALEX BILLY takes over the position. He brings over 12 years experience from management positions at Pearl River Resort. By the way, if you are curious where Box Homa is located, it is at Sandersville near Hattiesburg.

What are they doing differently in China than in the USA. If gaming revenue is a yardstick, their economy is way ahead of ours as they are sending billions to MACAU. In August alone gaming revenue soared 57% to $3.09 billion and it’s said the boost was driven by high rollers who seem immune to worldwide economic problems.

Another reason not to drive the NAFTA highway to Mexico but gamble in our own country…a bunch of bad guys who didn’t pay attention to the sign on the front door prohibiting weapons attacked a Monterey casino, poured gas everywhere, set it on fire and mowed down over 50 people. The killings are believed to be tied to a drug cartel. Pancho Villa lives on.

Oh, Gods of Gaming, why can’t we have sports gaming books in Mississippi. It’s football season and I hate sending money to some obscure island in the Caribbean. Go American…support your local bookie.

“You cannot beat a roulette table unless you steal money from it,” ALBERT EINSTEIN

LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER!