The Third Largest Casino Area in the US

The Largest Concentration of Casinos 
Between Las Vegas and Atlantic City

Tunica County, an area where cotton, rice, and soybean fields and catfish ponds thrived for generations, is now America's third largest gaming resort destination. Along the eastern shore of the Mighty Mississippi River, an area of economic growth and development has transformed Tunica County from one of the nation's poorest rural areas into the largest concentration of resort gaming complexes between Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Tunica County is now a vibrant and exciting place, but also where the rich history of Delta literature and music is tradition. The county has become a lively place where people have come from all over the United States to live, work, and enjoy.

The Mississippi Delta itself offers a rich cultural heritage that beckons those seeking enrichment along with their fun. Antebellum homes, great fishing lakes, and hunting provide something unique for a visitor's stay. Tunica is conveniently located near much of Mississippi's significant history. For example, include on your agenda a day trip to visit the home of Tennessee Williams in Columbus, MS or see William Faulkner's birthplace of Oxford, MS. Ellis Koonce, a respected historian of Tunica County, says: " Hernando DeSoto, the Spanish explorer, who was our first tourist in 1540, would be amazed at what has come to this area. The county has progressed from being one of the most economically depressed areas in America into energetic prosperity that has lowered our unemployment rate and continues to provide a variety of jobs for everyone. Yet, we have managed to preserve the culture and history that has made the Delta the birthplace of the blues while maintaining acre upon acre of the nation's richest farmland."

This astonishing wonder is a result of Mississippi's fundamentally different way of legislating casino gaming. The state moved to permit casino gaming in 1990 and took a remarkably different approach than most other states that allow some forms of casino wagering could range from 20% or more, player-wagering totals may be limited to $500.00, and casino "riverboats" must be "cruising" before gaming action can get underway. Additional restrictions have included states limiting their casinos to Indian reservations or imposing a limit on the number of casinos that may be opened in an area. Mississippi's approach allowed locations, such as Tunica, to have casinos with regulations that are similar to those in Las Vegas and Atlantic City: 24-hour-a-day, non-stop action with no-limit wagering. Pure competition decides the success or failure of a casino. The free market has encouraged major investments in the construction of bigger and better facilities with all of the latest amenities to provide a significantly better product for the visitor.

There are ten casino properties and nine independent hotel properties with over 6,000 new hotel rooms and suites. Each of the ten casinos has luxurious hotel rooms with first class accommodations and most offer swimming pools, courtyards, spas, fitness facilities, arcades, in-room movies, room service, dry cleaning/laundering services, and entertainment venues. In addition, there is plenty meeting, convention or event space throughout the resort destination. Ten resort properties collectively offer 120,000 square feet of flexible meeting space for groups up to 1,600 with individual meeting facilities up to 40,000 square feet. Every staff member has been well trained and will be ready to satisfy your every desire with true southern hospitality. After conducting extensive market research, visitors indicated that: "Tunica is like Las Vegas and Atlantic City, offering everything we want in a resort destination but with true Southern hospitality and without the airfare."

There has been tremendous growth, which has resulted in the development of the nation's third largest gaming resort destination. Each property offers live nightly entertainment with big-name entertainers such as Wynonna, Bill Cosby, Faith Hill, and Chris Rock performing on weekends. Guests may choose to relax in one of four luxurious spas, which offer an array of services from facials to herbal raps. Next, indulge in a round of golf at one of Tunica's two PGA Championship courses, Cottonwoods at Grand Casino Tunica or River Bend Links at Casino Strip Resorts. At the Willows try your aim on the sporting clays, a growing sport that allows enthusiasts to take their best shot at varying targets in a safe controlled atmosphere. Each casino resort property has elegant gift and sundries shops, many with Mississippi made products. There are also twenty new outlet stores located in the Casino Factory Shoppes. Finally, take a short drive to downtown Tunica for some of the most distinctive antiques and specialty shops to be found in the area.

Since the arrival of the gaming industry in 1992, over 3 billion dollars has been invested in Tunica County. In fiscal year 1999, Tunica County casinos paid a total of over 100 million dollars in state, city, and county taxes. Mississippi was one of only three states to have reduced the number of welfare recipients in 1994. Since 1992, the number of persons receiving Total Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) payments has been reduced by 90%. Food stamp distribution for fiscal year 1999 was $77,145, a 70% reduction of the 1992 distribution amount of $259,551.

Child support payments collected for fiscal year 1999 totaled $1,165,759.73 from 18,030 cases with tax offset collections totaling $138,968. This is a 2,700% increase in collections from 1992. The county's per capita income, dead last in the state at the time of the census, is now the 17th highest in the state. In 1993 Tunica County property tax rates were 107.19 millage per thousand. Currently, the millage rate per thousand is 39.30. Virtually every employee in the county has seen a salary increase by 25% or more due to the increase in demand for labor; as a result, unemployment is at an all time low of 5%.

Ken Murphree, the Tunica county Administrator, oversees the flourishing prosperity that has resulted in vast improvements throughout the area. For instance, the county now benefits from improved roads, highways, water and sewage systems, and numerous infrastructure upgrades. The schools along with medical and public safety have benefited through additions, renovations, and increases in budget allocations.

There is much anticipation for the months to come as renovations, expansions, and grand openings get underway. Tunica is experiencing unprecedented growth, developments, and improvements. To continue providing state-of-the-art facilities, service, and accommodations, several properties are undergoing renovations and additions:

Horseshoe Casino & Hotel has invested $40 million into an expansion that has added 435 slot machines and 10 table games. The Village Square Buffet has been completely renovated and has expanded its food stations. The seating capacity has increased from 425 to 625. Yasmin's is the new 100-seat Asian restaurant serving authentic Asian cooking. A new ten-acre parking addition will be located behind the property.
The Paradise Entertainment Center has marked the completion of the Phase I expansion for the Isle of Capri - Tunica. This includes a 227-room hotel featuring 120 Paradise Deluxe Suites. The Isle has completed construction on the 14 million dollar Paradise Entertainment Center. The Paradise Entertainment Center will feature two adjacent theaters under one roof with a shared entrance, bar, gift shop, and lobby area. The theaters opened November 17, 2000.
Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall has invested $21 million into renovations and changes. From the ceilings to the floors, the refurbishment and improvements have delivered an elegant, accommodating, and exciting gaming and entertainment establishment.
Casino Factory Shoppes, the mid-South developer Casino Factory Shoppes L.L.C. has completed construction on a 60,000 square foot expansion of the outlet center.
Tunica Exposition Center & Arena opened August 2000 has announced plans for a $4 million expansion project. The expansion will add an additional 240 livestock stalls for a total of 606 stalls. In addition, a covered arena of 230 feet by 400 feet, with seating for up to 500, will be built giving the facility independent state-of-the-art event space. The expected completion date for the project is October 1, 2002.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for Phase 1 of 2 of the Tunica County Airport were held Tuesday, January 23, 2001. Efforts from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Mississippi Department of Transportation secured funds to increase the runway length to 7,000 feet provide additional hangers and a new terminal. The expansion of the Tunica County Airport will be used to support the growing needs of the gaming industry as well as other area economic developments.
Plans to begin construction on a 168-acre River Front Park are slated to begin Fall 2001. The park will feature a marina, visitors center and nature trails. The river park will be adjacent to Fitzgerald's Casino, which donated most of the river park land to the county.

Tunica, Mississippi, located thirty miles south of Memphis, Tennessee is America's third largest gaming resort destination. With 10 world-class casino resorts and over 6,000 new quality hotel rooms, odds are you will love visiting Tunica. 

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