Tunica County, MS—
FAST FACTS:
- Casinos report $2.46 billion in '09 revenue
- Convention, travel bookings up for '10
- Tunica seen as leader in casino recovery
dennis.turner@wreg.com
(Tunica County, MS 3/10/2010) Signs the national economic slump could be easing, seem to be finding their way to the Tunica County casinos.
In a report to state gaming regulators, managers say they have big reasons for optimism this year.
One casino manager told the gaming commission his business "fell off the map" last year. But that same manager says there's reason for optimism Tunica will once again find it's place on that same map, as the economy improves.
Darwin Wilcox and his wife make Tunica a regular stop on their trips to and from Florida in the winter. "Always has been. We drive and stop here for a few days." said the Roscoe, IL man.
This year, he says more folks like him seem to feel a little more encouraged about stopping here and spending a little money.
As the national economy starts to improve, Tunica's casinos are starting to see some encouraging signs too. "I think we'll see an increase in sales in convention business. I think we see an increase in our travel business coming in from our plane programs like Airtran, like our national casino marketing program." said Greg Hinton, Assistant General Manager of Harrah's Tunica.
In fact, workers began preparing Monday for a huge trade show for manufactured housing.
Harrah's reportedly told the state gaming commission convention bookings could be up as much as thirty percent this year.
It won't make up for losses the last couple of years, but it's a start.
And most believe Tunica will lead the way for the whole state when it comes to casino recovery. "You can experience nine great properties and I think we've build a pretty good destination over the years. Couple that with Beale Street, play some golf down here, people are gonna get out and spend money and I think we're well positioned to take advantage of that." said Webster Franklin of the Tunica Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Travelers like Wilcox agree, saying they like options, and Tunica has more than anywhere around. They also like non gaming choices like golf and sport shooting "So you'll just tak your time and say well we can afford it may be we can stay a little longer then. Might be a good trip." he said.
This is important to everybody in Mississippi.
Why's that?
More business in the state's casinos, means more casino tax money coming in, and less of a burden on Mississippi's taxpayers. Casinos could bring in about $250 million in taxes this fiscal year.
