Developers are setting the stage for two new casinos in east Biloxi, Mississippi, each vying for site approval from the Mississippi Gaming Commission. These properties, located blocks apart, promise to enhance Biloxi’s gaming and entertainment landscape significantly.
Navigating the path to construction:
According to Biloxi SunHerald, Jay McDaniel, the executive director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, clarified, “They’re two different casinos.” The Tullis Gardens Hotel and Casino is situated just west of Harrah’s Gulf Coast. At the same time, Biloxi Capital’s venture, named after the historic Tivoli, is poised near landmarks like the Biloxi Yacht Club and the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art.
The journey toward opening these casinos begins with obtaining site approval from the three-member Gaming Commission, a crucial step before moving forward with construction plans. For Tullis Gardens, the process is already underway with its inclusion on the agenda for the upcoming Gaming Commission meeting in Jackson. Conversely, Biloxi Capital’s proposal is progressing through its legal advertisement phase, scheduled across three weeks in October, before it too can be considered for approval.
The Tullis Gardens Hotel was initially envisioned as a standalone resort, but a feasibility study indicated the necessity of incorporating a casino to ensure profitability. This adaptation led to an expanded plan featuring an additional 100 rooms to meet the 300-room minimum set by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. The proposed amenities include a 53,280 square foot casino floor, 909 slot machines, 35 table games, and a sports book, creating a comprehensive entertainment environment.
On the other hand, Biloxi Capital’s Tivoli site is ambitiously charting a course to establish a significantly larger casino resort. The proposal outlines plans for a 1,300-room hotel and a massive 100,000 square foot casino space. With 2,000 slot machines, 75 table games, a sports book, and extensive convention space, the project is geared to transform a vast 32-acre area into a major entertainment hub.
Ownership and historical context:
The Tullis Gardens project is majority-owned by Israel “Izzy” Schwartz of Tennessee, with 90%, and his attorney Luke Lenzi, who doubles as the chief executive officer, holding the remaining 10%. Meanwhile, Biloxi Capital and developer Danny Conwill acquired the Tivoli site for $40 million post-Hurricane Katrina, capitalizing on its zoning for casino development since 2007.
Biloxi, known for its vibrant casino scene, hosts eight casinos, with many others proposed over the years. Notably, in December 2023, RW Development finally secured site approval for a new casino at U.S. 90 and Veterans Boulevard, with a stipulation for development commencement within three years. Additionally, a project by the rock band KISS for a Rock & Brews casino resort was planned but canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, with the site now transitioning into a new entertainment venue, Hammered Harry’s.