A long-running plan for a new casino at U.S. 90 and Veterans Avenue in Biloxi is back in focus as developers work against a narrow deadline to begin construction. If the project moves forward, it will become the 9th Biloxi gaming venue and add another major gambling destination to Mississippi’s already crowded Gulf Coast market.
The proposed development has been in the works for more than 15 years. Developer RW Development received site approval from the Mississippi Gaming Commission in late 2023 after prior attempts were denied, largely due to requirements related to control of waterfront property. That approval did not end the process, however. The developer still needs to secure financing, submit plans, and begin meaningful work before the approval window closes. The latest reporting indicates the deadline is approaching quickly.
A rebuilt public pier is a key part of the plan. Mississippi’s casino rules historically required gaming properties to maintain access to water, a leftover from the era when many Coast casinos operated on barges. Casinos may now be built on land, but waterfront access remains an important part of the approval process. The proposed pier at Veterans Avenue is intended to help satisfy that requirement while also creating a public amenity for fishing, walking, and views of the Back Bay area.
The project is more than a new gaming floor. Another Biloxi resort could mean additional hotel rooms, restaurant jobs, entertainment options, and competition for visitor spending. At the same time, the proposal faces the familiar questions that follow major casino development: whether the market can support more local casinos in Biloxi, how traffic will be handled, and whether a new resort would grow tourism or divide the same customer base among more operators.
Other Local MS Casinos
Mississippi already has one of the most established land-based casino markets in the South. Biloxi alone is home to major properties including Beau Rivage, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi, Golden Nugget, IP Casino Resort Spa, Harrah’s Gulf Coast, Palace Casino Resort, Treasure Bay, and Boomtown Casino Biloxi. The Mississippi Gaming Commission also lists licensed casinos in Gulfport, Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Vicksburg, Natchez, Greenville, Tunica Resorts, Lula, and D’Iberville.
That matters because the Veterans Avenue proposal would not be entering an empty market. It would have to give visitors a distinct reason to choose it over established resorts with loyalty programs, entertainment calendars, restaurants, sportsbooks, pools, and hotel inventory.
Still, Biloxi has repeatedly shown it can attract regional travelers looking for a weekend casino trip without heading to Las Vegas or crossing into another state. A ninth property could strengthen the city’s position among the state’s local casino market, particularly if it adds attractions that appeal to visitors who are not solely there for table games or slots. You can learn more about local MS casinos here: https://onlinemississippicasinos.com/brick-mortar/
Offshore Casino Options
Mississippi has legal in-person casino gambling, but it does not currently operate a state-regulated real-money online casino market. A player can visit a licensed Mississippi casino and enjoy slots, table games, poker, or retail sportsbook options at participating properties. Still, there is no statewide regulated app for online casino games such as blackjack, roulette, or online slots.
Some Mississippi players instead encounter offshore casino websites. These platforms operate outside the state’s regulatory system and are not licensed by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Anyone considering an offshore site should research its ownership, gaming license, security tools, payout policies, game testing, customer support, and responsible-play controls before making a deposit.
For now, the Biloxi project is a reminder that Mississippi’s casino story remains centered on physical destinations. While online casino access is still an unresolved part of the state’s gaming conversation, the next major development may be happening right on the Coast.