Biloxi Casinos: Local Gambling, Resorts and Visitor Information
Biloxi is the center of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast gambling market, with eight commercial casinos located along Beach Boulevard, Back Bay and other waterfront areas. The city offers everything from large luxury resorts and entertainment venues to smaller properties focused primarily on slots, table games and casual visits.
This guide covers the casinos located within Biloxi, nearby properties that can be reached by car, and the best destinations for different types of visits. Travelers looking beyond the Gulf Coast can also explore our OnlineMississippiCasinos.com guide to local casinos in the state, including commercial and tribal gaming destinations throughout the state.
Local Casinos In Biloxi
Casinos Near Biloxi
Are Biloxi Casinos Tribal or State-Regulated?
The casinos in Biloxi are commercial properties regulated by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Although they are sometimes casually described as “state-run,” they are not owned or operated by the state government. Private companies operate the properties under licenses issued by Mississippi regulators.
The state does have tribal gaming, but none of the MS tribal casinos are located in Biloxi or elsewhere along the immediate Gulf Coast. The state’s tribal properties are operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians on tribal lands in other parts of Mississippi.
The main difference is the governing authority. Commercial casinos must follow the Mississippi Gaming Control Act and regulations established by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Tribal properties operate under federal law, tribal regulations, and agreements governing Class III gaming rather than receiving a standard commercial license from the state.
For visitors, the available casino games can be similar at both types of properties. Commercial and tribal casinos may offer slot machines, table games, restaurants, hotels and sportsbooks. The most noticeable distinction is generally not the gaming experience but who owns the property, where it is permitted to operate, and which regulatory body oversees it.
Why Are Biloxi Casinos Located on the Water?
Mississippi originally legalized commercial gambling with the requirement that casinos operate on vessels positioned over navigable water. This is why many of Biloxi’s earliest gaming floors were built on floating barges along the Gulf Coast rather than directly on dry land.
Local gambling laws changed following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when several casino barges were severely damaged or pushed ashore. Mississippi subsequently allowed Gulf Coast casinos to rebuild on land, provided the gaming area remained within a limited distance of the shoreline. As a result, modern properties may look like conventional land-based resorts even though their locations are still tied to the waterfront.
This requirement also explains why the city’s casinos are concentrated along Beach Boulevard, Back Bay and other areas close to navigable water. Hotels, restaurants, pools and entertainment venues may extend farther inland, but the approved gaming site must comply with Mississippi’s coastal location rules. Tribal casinos operate under a separate legal framework and are not subject to the same waterfront restrictions.
The Best Biloxi Casino for Each Type of Visit
Each of Biloxi’s casinos offers a slightly different experience. The best choice will depend on whether the priority is gambling, accommodations, entertainment, dining or a quieter atmosphere.
Best Overall Casino Resort: Beau Rivage
Beau Rivage is the strongest all-around choice for visitors who want the casino, hotel, restaurants and entertainment venues under one roof. The MGM property combines a large gaming floor with upscale accommodations, headline shows, a spa, a pool, shopping and access to Fallen Oak Golf Club. It is particularly well suited to an extended resort stay rather than a brief gambling trip.
Best for Live Entertainment and Nightlife: Hard Rock Biloxi
Hard Rock is the best option for concerts, nightlife and a livelier atmosphere. Hard Rock Live hosts touring musicians and other performers, while additional bars, lounges and entertainment spaces are located throughout the resort. The property also has approximately 1,500 slots, 50 table games, a poker room and multiple restaurants.
Best Smoke-Free Casino: Palace Casino Resort
Palace is the clear choice for anyone who wants to avoid cigarette and cigar smoke. It is Biloxi’s only entirely smoke-free casino resort, with the policy extending throughout the gaming area and hotel. Visitors can still find slots, table games, restaurants, accommodations, and resort amenities without entering a smoking section.
Best for Serious Casino Gaming: IP Casino Resort Spa
IP is a good match for players who want a broad selection of gambling options. Its gaming area covers two floors and approximately 70,000 square feet, with more than 1,200 slots, dozens of table games and a dedicated non-smoking poker room. The large gaming floor makes it easier to move between slots, poker and traditional table games during the same visit.
Best for High-Limit Gambling: Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget is one of the better choices for visitors interested in high-limit play. Its expanded gaming floor includes more than 1,200 slots, over 50 table games and a dedicated high-limit area. The modern resort also includes hotel rooms, restaurants, bars, live entertainment and a spa.
Best for Local Players and a Casual Visit: Boomtown
Boomtown offers a more relaxed alternative to Biloxi’s larger beachfront resorts. It is promoted as the area’s original locals’ casino and focuses heavily on gaming value, slots, table games, poker and casual dining. Because it does not operate as a conventional full-service hotel resort, it may appeal most to visitors who primarily want to gamble for a few hours.
Best for a Spa or Relaxing Resort Stay: Harrah’s Gulf Coast
Harrah’s is a strong option for couples or visitors who want to combine gambling with time at the pool or spa. The property has a 16,000-square-foot spa and salon, a heated outdoor pool, hot tub, cabanas and several restaurants in addition to its casino and hotel.
Best Smaller Casino Hotel: Treasure Bay
Treasure Bay is well suited to guests who prefer a smaller property that is easier to navigate. It has more than 800 slot and video poker machines, approximately 26 table games, and several video poker bars. The casino is considerably more compact than Biloxi’s largest resorts but still provides hotel accommodations and dining on-site.
Ultimately, Beau Rivage and Hard Rock provide the most complete resort experiences, while IP and Golden Nugget stand out for gambling variety. Palace is the best fit for smoke-free gaming, and Boomtown or Treasure Bay may be more comfortable for visitors who prefer smaller, less elaborate properties.
Can You Take a Bus to a Biloxi Casino?
Visitors do not necessarily need a car to travel between Biloxi’s major casinos. The Coast Transit Authority operates the Casino Hopper, a fixed-route bus service connecting gaming properties, hotels, attractions and businesses along Beach Boulevard, Caillavet Street and Bayview Avenue. Buses generally arrive every 25 minutes and operate seven days a week, although passengers should check the current schedule before traveling.
The Casino Hopper is particularly useful for visitors staying at one resort who want to explore other properties without driving or paying for multiple rideshares. Connections at the Biloxi Transit Center can also provide access to other parts of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, including Gulfport, D’Iberville and Ocean Springs. Not every property is located directly beside the same route, so travelers should review the stop map when planning their trip.
Organized casino bus trips are also available from cities throughout the Southeast. Private tour and charter companies may offer day trips, overnight excursions or multi-night packages from parts of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and other surrounding states. Depending on the operator, a package may include round-trip motorcoach transportation, hotel accommodations, meals or promotional casino credit.
Trip availability, departure locations and included benefits change throughout the year. Travelers should confirm the itinerary directly with the tour operator and determine whether the bus visits one property or allows time at multiple resorts.
Online Casinos vs. Biloxi Casinos
Biloxi’s land-based venues provide an experience that online casinos in Mississippi cannot fully recreate. Visitors can play at physical slot machines and table games while also taking advantage of hotel rooms, restaurants, pools, spas, live entertainment, and other resort amenities. In-person gambling may be the better option for players who enjoy the social atmosphere of a busy casino floor or want to turn their visit into a weekend getaway.
Online casino sites place more emphasis on convenience. Players can access games from home or while traveling without driving to the Gulf Coast, booking a hotel or following a casino’s operating schedule. Digital platforms may also provide a larger overall game library, including slots, video poker, specialty games and live-dealer tables that can be opened from a phone, tablet or computer.
Bonuses are another major difference. Biloxi properties commonly use rewards cards that provide points, complimentary rooms, dining discounts and other benefits based on in-person play. Online sites are more likely to offer deposit matches, cryptocurrency promotions, reload bonuses and free spins, although these offers typically include wagering requirements and other conditions.
The payment process also differs. Local properties allow visitors to use cash and casino cages, while online players must fund and withdraw from their accounts electronically. Available methods may include cards, cryptocurrency, and other digital payment services, depending on the platform.
Neither option is automatically better for every player. Biloxi casinos are best for a complete entertainment and resort experience, while online sites are generally better suited to players who prioritize game variety, bonuses and access from almost anywhere.
Are There Any New Casinos Planned For Development?
Several new casino resorts have been proposed for Biloxi, although none currently has a confirmed opening date. These projects must complete multiple stages involving site approval, financing, licensing, construction and, in some cases, ongoing court proceedings before they can begin accepting visitors.
The Tullis Gardens Hotel and Casino is planned for an East Biloxi waterfront site near U.S. 90 and Howard Avenue. Proposed features include a 300-room hotel, a casino floor with more than 900 slot machines and 35 table games, restaurants and a sportsbook. A judge upheld the Mississippi Gaming Commission’s site approval in June 2026, but a separate legal challenge involving the property remains unresolved.
Another major proposal is the Tivoli Casino, which would be developed on the former Tivoli Hotel property in East Biloxi. Plans have called for a large resort with approximately 1,300 hotel rooms, 100,000 square feet of gaming space, restaurants, convention facilities and other amenities. The project has received site approval, but its developers must still demonstrate that sufficient financing is available before construction can move forward.
A third proposed property from RW Development would be located near Veterans Avenue. The project has received conditional site approval and survived a legal challenge. Still, the developer must complete required waterfront improvements and secure the financing and licensing needed to preserve that approval. The current deadline for meeting those conditions is expected near the end of 2026.
These developments show continued interest in expanding the gaming market, but site approval does not guarantee that a property will be built. Construction schedules, final designs, and opening dates can change substantially, so visitors should not expect any of the proposed resorts to open in the immediate future.