The state regulatory authorities in Mississippi rejected two proposed casino constructions. At a special meeting, which continued for less than two hours, the proposal was discussed by the Mississippi Gaming Commission‘s members, who later made the unanimous decision to reject the sites.
No further explanation on the decision came from the three members of the Commission, who refused to comment on the matter.
The decision came as a great shock to the two developers, Ray Wooldridge of RW Development in Biloxi and Jacobs Entertainment of Diamonhead, with both of the companies’ attorneys revealing how disappointed they were with how things worked out at the end. Also, according to the attorney of the first one of the developers, a letter which had been recently sent to the Commission from the Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes, could have played an important role due to Hewes’ criticism.
Mr. Hewes publicly criticised the two projects for casino constructions and said that if the project was brought to life, this would fully change the south Mississippi’s community. In addition, in his opinion, there were plenty of legal gaming facilities that currently operated in the region.
The proposed casino developments were brought to the attention of the Mississippi Gaming Commission over its February meeting, which took place at the D’Ibervill City Hall Building. It was at this point when the proposal came under fire, with the Gulfport mayor Billy Hewes criticising it. This is the second time when Jacobs Entertainment Diamondhead and RW Development presented their proposal, after back in 2008 it was once again rejected.
As the Commission itself then explained, it decided that the two locations are not legal gaming sites. According to the state law, developers are required to control land to the water’s edge, which was not the case as far as the two projects were concerned. This led to the rejection of both sites.
The decision can be brought for appeal to circuit court, but this would probably not happen any time soon according to the attorney. The latter further explained that he was to first meet his clients in order to see if they would like to appeal. The other developer – RW Development – announced that it intended to appeal the decision.
The mayor of Diamondhead Tommy Schafer commented on the Mississippi Gaming Commission’s decision, saying that the such a vote was a loss of economic engine which could have been brought to the town.
- Author
Daniel Williams
