Several riverboat casinos in Biloxi and the Mississippi area
have been destroyed following the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
It is not clear, as of yet, which casinos were swallowed up by
the rising Gulf waters. However, it is known that at
least a few have been submerged as a result of the devastating
flooding. Reports of deaths in Biloxi and Gulfport have
so far been confirmed at 44, with more casualties expected to
be confirmed in the days following the cleanup.
As for the riverboats, they were
fully cleared and evacuated before Katrina landed. No
deaths were reported as a result of the few casinos that were
sunk. Largely due to the fast actions of the Mississippi
Gaming Commission and cooperating casinos, the riverboats were
shut down by early Sunday morning. The director of the
Commission, Larry Gregory, ordered all casinos to begin
closing at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, and for the casino
management to have the appropriate paperwork regarding the
emergency closing fully completed.
All this was done before a
local evacuation order was even given, which is a strong
testament to the Gaming Commissions efficiency and planning
procedures. As for the riverboat casinos who survived,
it is not clear yet as to when they might possible reopen.
One would expect the closures to remain for some time while
the folks of Mississippi pick themselves back up again and
start the cleanup process. |
