Gaming Summit in Biloxi

On Wednesday, the Southern Gaming Summit at the Mississippi Coast Convention Center will include a financial roundtable that will bring together bankers and analysts to address the recession and global credit crisis.

That’s followed by a State of the Industry report from Virginia McDowell, president of Isle of Capri Casinos; John Payne, president of Harrah’s Entertainment’s Central Division, and Tom Wilmott, president of Penn National Gaming, parent company of Boomtown Biloxi and Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis.

They know first hand the casino industry in Biloxi has many of the same challenges as businesses around the country.

“Right now everyone is aware of the financial constraints in the market,” said Larry Gregory, executive director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Almost all new development is on hold, he said, and most existing casinos are waiting on expansion plans.

Some progress is being made on new casino projects, but John Ellis, one of the developers of Blue Water Bay Resort, said it is probably three years before the casino resort near Pass Christian will be operational.

More info at SunHerald.com

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