Isle of Capri Casinos reveals Biloxi casino plans

BILOXI, Mississippi – (PRESS RELEASE) — Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISLE) announced today final construction plans for the Isle of Capri Biloxi Casino Resort.

The more than $180 million construction project will be largely funded by insurance proceeds associated with Hurricane Katrina. The project includes a land-based casino with approximately 2,100 slot machines, 50 table games, a new poker room, rebuilding the Company’s signature steakhouse, Farraddays’, as well as an expanded tropical-themed buffet, plus one other restaurant yet to be named.

Approximately 45,000 square feet of convention space that is currently serving as gaming space will be restored to its original use. In addition, the casino entryway will be renovated to allow guests easier access.

When complete, this project will return the Isle of Capri Biloxi Casino Resort to the planned pre-Katrina levels. The Biloxi property also includes 731 hotel rooms, a European Spa, infinity pool and waterfall which opened to the public last summer.

“The Mississippi Coast continues to work toward a complete restoration and Isle of Capri is actively participating in the continued evolution of the region. We have worked closely with our insurance carriers, as well as the City of Biloxi and the Mississippi Gaming Commission, throughout the past year to return our property to pre-Katrina levels. I am proud of the work we have done thus far and I am quite sure that our guests and the community will enjoy everything the Isle of Capri offers when this project is completed,” Tim Hinkley, president and chief operating officer, said.

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., a leading developer and owner of gaming and entertainment facilities, operates 13 casinos in 11 locations. The company owns and operates riverboat and dockside casinos in Biloxi, Lula and Natchez, Mississippi; Lake Charles (2 riverboats), Louisiana; Bettendorf, Davenport and Marquette, Iowa; and Kansas City and Boonville, Missouri. The company also owns a 57 percent interest in and operates land-based casinos in Black Hawk (two casinos), Colorado. Isle of Capri’s international gaming interests include a casino that it operates in Freeport, Grand Bahama and a two-thirds ownership interest in casinos in Dudley and Wolverhampton, England. The company also owns and operates Pompano Park Harness Racing Track in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Source: Casino City Times

Biloxi Poker Review

I was just there this past weekend and stayed at the Beau. The first thing you will want to do after checking in is go and get a players card. Everytime you sit at a table, make sure the dealer swipes your card so you get credit for the time you are there. This way you can get comped for buffets and such.

There are usually a few $4/$8 LHE games going and a bunch of $1/$2 NL games going. They will usually add a $10/$20 LHE game if there is enough demand. Same goes for $2/$5 and $5/$10 NL games. The room has 15-20 tables and is usually filled up between noon and midnight. Oh yeah…there is no buy-in cap on the NL games!!

As far as tourneys go, they had them Fri Sat and Sun while I was there. They started at noon and I’m not sure what the buy-ins were except for Sat which was ~ $110.

I played at IP on Sunday afternoon and they only had one $4/$8 LHE table and two $1/$2 NL tables. The action was great on the NL tables though.

I was told by several locals that the Beau and IP were the only places worth playing most of the time.

Thanks Kevbo from TwoPlusTwo Forum

Merry Christmas

Biloxi Blog would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Enjoy this wonderful time with your friends, family, co-workers, and pets. We look forward to exciting 2007 and more casinos and resorts re-open in the Biloxi and Gulfport area! Merry Christmas!