A newly approved pier on Veterans Avenue could be the key to significantly expanding Biloxi’s casino scene.
RW Development, led by Ray Wooldridge, got permission to tear down the old pier that Katrina destroyed in 2005 and build a new one for the public. State rules say a pier is needed to keep approval for casino development on the Gulf Coast.
This step brings back a proposal that has been on hold for over ten years and could lead to South Mississippi’s 13th casino. Local leaders and industry experts see the pier as more than just a structure. They believe it could be the start of a new entertainment spot, joining the twelve casinos already helping the local economy.
In July 2025, Chris Conwill from Biloxi Capital got approval from the Gaming Commission to build a casino at the old Tivoli property. The plans call for a 100,000-square-foot casino floor, a hotel with 1,300 rooms, and features like convention space, restaurants, and bars.
Offshore Online Casinos and Legal Loopholes
Even though Mississippi law limits online casino gambling, many residents use offshore sites that are not regulated by the state or federal government. This shows a clear gap between the law and what people actually do.
Online casinos that let Mississippi residents play are licensed and regulated in other countries, and many allow players as young as 18. They often attract people with bigger slot selections, more table games, and welcome bonuses for new players.
Offshore gambling sites have served people in the United States since the early 2000s. For many in Mississippi, these sites are the top choice for online betting. Online casino games give players hours of fun and the chance to win real money playing their favorite digital and table games.
In recent years, the state of Mississippi has sent cease-and-desist letters to some popular operators that accept local players, but it has not passed any laws to ban offshore online gambling.
The Future of Mississippi Gambling
Building the Biloxi pier shows the state’s interest in more land-based casinos, while the ongoing popularity of offshore online casinos points to a strong demand for digital gaming.
Right now, people in Mississippi who want to gamble legally have to go to tribal or commercial casinos on the Gulf Coast, where you must be at least 21. Offshore sites, though, continue to draw in younger players by allowing 18-year-olds to join, which highlights the difference between regulated and unregulated markets.
As lawmakers consider the economic benefits of new casinos and the challenges of regulating online gambling, the pier project could become a symbol of resilience and a sign of how gaming in Mississippi is changing. It connects past recovery efforts with new opportunities ahead.