Tunica Casinos Change Face of Rural Mississippi
The History Of Tunica Casinos

Tunica's first casino, Splash, opened in October 1992. It was a modest affair built on a barge that once held a floating restaurant.

It offered slot machines, table games and all the other standard casino attractions. It was an instant hit.

Splash chose Tunica County because it is the closest town to Memphis that allows casino gambling. Memphis is the largest city on the Mississippi River between New Orleans and St. Louis, and Tennessee does not allow gambling.

Tunica got its second casino, Lady Luck, in 1993. As more casinos arrived, they began adding hotels, concert halls and shops.

The casinos are called riverboats, but they're boats in name only. While the gambling halls sit in slips cut into the banks of the Mississippi River, their attached hotels and other support businesses are on land.

When Splash opened its doors, Tunica County had an annual budget of $3.5 million, barely enough to keep the roads passable, the sewers working and the schools open.

"We had a planning commission but it never met. There was nothing to plan for," Franklin said.

Now, because of casino taxes, the county's annual budget is $80 million. So far, it has collected more than $255 million from the casinos.

"Tunica County is debt free," Franklin said, "and projects are paid for with cash."

At first, Tunica spent most of its casino money on roads, sewers, and other improvements that would help attract more riverboats. Property taxes were eliminated.

The county also built two new schools and a small medical center. The jail was remodeled, and "things that were broken were fixed," Franklin said.

Tunica alos has built a 168-acre riverfront park and putting in a 7,000-foot runway at its small airport.

The casinos have created more than 15,000 jobs, and Tunica County has a total population of just 9,200.

Most of the casino workers came from Memphis and surrounding communities in Mississippi and Arkansas. Last year, the casinos paid out more than $90 million in salaries.

Before the casinos, farm work provided modest incomes for most of Tunica's residents and unemployment rate was 26 percent.

By latest count, unemployment is 5 percent, and per capita income has increased from $11,875 to $20,203.

The number of Tunica residents on welfare has dropped 90 percent, and food stamp distributions have dropped 70 percent.

In recent years, the casinos have expanded their advertising outside the Memphis region.

The casinos estimate that 29 percent of their gamblers last year were from Tennessee, while 18 percent were from Arkansas and 13 percent from Mississippi. The other 40 percent came from a variety of states, mostly in the South and Midwest.

Overall, the regional economy has improved since the casinos arrived, said Jeff Wallace a University of Memphis economist.

"Many of the initial fears people had on the negative impact on the community simply haven't happened," Wallace said.

Eighteen of Mississippi's 30 casinos are along the Mississippi River, with the rest on the Gulf Coast.

The riverboats in the "North River Region," which includes Tunica's casinos plus another at the town of Lula, had gross revenues last year of more than $353 million.

The state does not report on finances from individual casinos.

But while the casinos have brought money and jobs, they undoubtedly have had hidden costs as well, said Andy Meyers, a University of Memphis psychologist.

Meyers runs a clinic in Memphis for victims of compulsive gambling. Since opening in 1999, largely because of the casinos in Tunica, the clinic has treated more than 120 patients.

No records are available on how many bankruptcies, divorces and other problems can be directly linked to gambling, but national studies give an idea on their social costs, Meyers said.

Most people who patronize casinos gamble for entertainment, but up to 5 percent are at risk of becoming compulsive gamblers. And it is clear, Myers said, that more people give gambling a try as casinos become more accessible.

A Decade in the Delta
Tunica turns ten, and keeps on growing

When it comes to this vast, mostly unpopulated stretch of Mississippi, even the clichés have become cliché. By now, it’s no secret that Tunica is a thriving gaming jurisdiction, surrounded as it is by acres of cotton and soy farms, dotted by towns in various state of disrepair, or, more recently, apartment complexes and bedroom communities to serve the casino industry’s growing employee base.

One thing’s for certain, though. Tunica is an anomaly. When Mississippi legalized casino gambling ten years ago, the state was primarily focused on reviving its neglected Gulf Coast shore towns, most of which were rich in history, but had fallen into sleazy disrepair—not unlike Atlantic City when the decision was made to legalize gambling in the decrepit shore town.

Without a doubt, Biloxi, Gulfport and the southern shore communities have seen dramatic increases in tourism and local renovation, as have smaller historic communities, like Vicksburg, home to four gambling riverboats. But it’s been Tunica, barely 40 minutes south of Memphis, that has emerged as the giant in Mississippi gaming. Quite remarkably, it is now the third-largest casino jurisdiction in the country, following close behind Las Vegas and Atlantic City. And yet, the cliché that is Tunica has to be considered. Ten years ago, there was nothing more than swampy farms and complete poverty.

The term “riverboat” is used interchangeably with “casino” by many gamblers, but don’t confuse the two, for the difference is what has made Mississippi stand out among the other “riverboat” gaming states. Essentially, state law doesn’t require Mississippi’s casinos to be housed in riverboats, cruising or otherwise, as is the case with states such as Louisiana, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. Rather, Mississippi’s casinos are mostly housed on floating barges, tethered to the land but able to be shuttered up and moved to safety in the event of an evacuation—particularly on the Gulf Coast, where hurricanes can wreak devastation.

While you’ll still find riverboats in the smaller gaming communities, most of the state’s major casinos are built on multileveled barges, incorporating not only the gaming areas, but restaurants and other amenities as well. The most successful properties have integrated their barges so seamlessly into their overall design, it’s impossible to know whether you’re on land or above water. It’s been the adaptable success of these barges, some with well over 100,000 square feet of gaming area, that has allowed Mississippi’s casino industry to thrive, and for the “Tunica Miracle” to happen.

Tunica’s Times

But it wasn’t so easy at the start. It was on the afternoon of October 19, 1992, that Splash Casino opened its doors on a murky Delta estuary called Mhoon Landing. This was not only Tunica County’s first casino, it was the state’s first casino. Splash was little more than several narrow barges and a parking lot, which was constantly full. The little casino actually had the audacity to charge an admission fee of $10, but business certainly wasn’t deterred. If anything, the lines continued to grow.

A year later, US News and World Report ranked Mississippi number one in the nation for economic recovery from the 1990 recession, identifying gaming as the chief reason. In September, 1994, a mere two years after its opening, Splash welcomed its three millionth visitor.

To say the rest of the gaming industry took notice of Splash’s success would be quite an understatement. Five months after Splash opened, Harrah’s announced plans for its own casino in Tunica. That announcement was followed by Bally’s in April, followed by the opening of the Lady Luck in September. In November, Harrah’s made good on its commitment, opening its casino in Tunica, a bit farther to the north. Rounding up 1993, on December 6, the President and Bally’s opened, marking the first time in history that two casinos have opened on the same day, in the same region.

The following year made 1993 look calm. In February, 1994, the ill-fated Southern Belle Casino opened. In May, the equally ill-fated, pirate-themed Treasure Bay opened. But two weeks after that, the sprawling, double-decked Sam’s Town opened as Tunica’s largest casino, and the first of the major gaming resorts that would later come to define the mature Tunica market. In this respect, while other casinos may have had their plans on the drawing board, or tossed open a few barges to start generating fast revenues, Sam’s Town was Tunica’s first true innovator, representing Boyd Gaming Corp.’s vision of what the region could become.

In June, the Irish-themed Fitzgerald’s opened, and a month later the President, dealing with location shifts in the overall market, shut its doors and sailed away. On August 1, the Sheraton Casino opened, the first of what would become the vital triumvirate of the Casino Center cluster of casinos. A week later, Hollywood Casino opened in the already thriving cluster of Casino Strip casinos, which consisted of Sam’s Town, Southern Belle and Harrah’s. These two areas... Casino Center and Casino Strip... remain the central clusters of Tunica’s modern casinos.

On August 29, the strikingly pink Circus Circus opened, on the opposite side of the three casinos in Casino Center, a seeming replica of its Vegas sister, right down to the high-wire circus acts and hideous tented big top. (The theme wouldn’t last for long.) Two days later, the Southern Belle closed its doors, the first of the “major” casinos to fail.

In February 1995, the Horseshoe Casino opened between Circus and Sheraton, completing the Casino Center trio of casinos. Four months later, the beleaguered Treasure Bay, located adjacent to Fitzgeralds, pulled its plank up for good. In December, Bally’s completed its move from the now-vacant Mhoon Landing to its current location just east of the Casino Center cluster.

With all but one of the major casinos now operating or shuttered, the expansion plans began to be announced. Starting off 1996 was Sam’s Town, whose $40 million investment would add convention facilities and double hotel space to a much-needed 860 rooms. The expansion will be completed by the end of that year. In April, Harrah’s completed its move to the former Southern Belle, putting its smaller, original casino up for sale. In June, Horseshoe broke ground on a $60 million expansion that would include the Bluesville concert hall and Blues & Legends Hall of Fame Museum, as well as a 300-suite hotel and a new parking facility.

And finally, on June 24, the massive Grand Casino Tunica opened its $450 million hotel and casino, with over 140,000 square feet of casino space, four different themed gaming areas and several restaurants. Located on 2,200 sprawling acres, Grand became the closest casino to Memphis, with plans for additional hotels, retail space, sporting areas, and even housing. By February of the following year, plans would be released for the $18 million Cottonwoods golf course, to be designed by Hale Irwin. Five months later, its 48,000-square-foot convention facility would be complete, and by 1999, its plantation-style Terrace and Veranda hotels would open, bringing Grand’s total room count to a whopping 1,350.

In July, Fitzgeralds opened its $34 million, 507-room hotel, and two months later, Hollywood followed suit with 352 new rooms and 15,000 square feet of convention space.

By late August, Circus Circus is officially off the map, replaced by the upscale-Victorian Gold Strike, reflecting the company’s new corporate mentality. Themed rather like the Monte Carlo in Las Vegas, the inside is a fantasy lobby of flowers, marble and waterfalls, with a completely renovated casino, restaurants and public areas. Most remarkable of all was the opening of the Gold Strike hotel, a 31-story tower that became the tallest building in Mississippi. While not quite as large as Gold Strike, Sheraton opened its 140-suite hotel by the end of the year, with a luxurious group of rooms inspired by what was then the the current Caesars management. (Caesar wouldn’t last for long, but the suites are incredible—particularly those on the 6th floor, with pool tables, antiques and a concierge area.)

By this time, only Isle of Capri is left to join the market, acquiring the former Harrah’s facility and converting it to a boutique-style, tropical-themed casino. The property opened in July of 1999 as Tunica’s final casino, announcing a major expansion of its entertainment facilities and a brand-new hotel.

Throughout the decade, Tunica County, flush with cash for the first time in its history, remained committed to its fledgling casinos. The gaming industry employs almost 16,000 people, and the county unemployment rate is 3.4 percent, compared to 26.2 percent prior to the opening of Splash. By 1995, the county actually became debt free, and began expansion of the highways and smaller roads leading into Tunica and between the casino clusters. With the county gaming tax increased by five percent in 1997, renovation plans for a renewed courthouse and recreation facility were announced. By late-1999, the county was successful in wooing development of the Casino Factory Outlet Shoppes, and by 2001, the county broke ground on a $40 million airport and terminal, with runway strip size increasing to 7,000 feet by 2005 (long enough to land a 727). The county also began development on a $22 million, 168-acre river park.

That airport is something of a contention point, with Tunica casino operators split on its usefulness. With Memphis International Airport 30 miles away, and Tunica focused primarily on drive-in and bus-in customers, several gaming executives are asking pointed questions about its usefulness to the overall market. Others see it as the only way for Tunica to cement its position as a key gaming destination.

“Being able to offer vacation packages, complete with airfare, will further solidify our position as the number three gaming destination in the United States,” says Webster Franklin, executive director of the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau. Other gaming execs simply see the airport as an effective way of operating junkets more effectively, thereby widening Tunica’s market range.

With the airport a reality and no real end to the growth in sight, the question isn’t so much what Tunica can do, it’s simply when will it have it all done?

Touring the casinos

That gamblers will find in today’s Tunica is a varied assortment of low- to high-end gaming options, with a definite focus on low- to middle-market gamblers. Folks drive in from all over the South, from Northern Florida west to Texas, and as far north as Missouri. With northwest Airlines as its hub, the Memphis International Airport is an extremely viable way of getting to the area, though players should make arrangements with a casino for shuttle service, or consider renting a car.

Many gamblers compare Tunica to “Old Vegas,” with its focus on cheap rooms, good food and a solid gamble. However, this analogy may be better applied to Laughlin, which really has followed in the history of “Old Vegas.” Tunica is far too young and unique to compare it to anything old.

Bally’s Saloon Gambling Hall & Hotel
1450 Bally Blvd., Robinsonville, MS 38664
662-357-1500 • 800-38BALLY
www.ballysms.com

“Don’t mess with this place,” Bally’s patrons seem to say about the smallish, 40,000-square-foot casino, with its Old West saloon theme and weathered barn-and-silo exterior.

“This is probably the most loyal client base in all of Tunica,” says Jon Lucas, Park Place Entertainment’s president of the Tunica Casino Group, which includes Bally’s, Grand Casino and Sheraton. “They love precisely what this casino is about, especially its comfort levels, its theme, and its sense of down-home hospitality.” However, the property has recently undergone upgrades to its food and beverage department, including its Delta Levee Café, Cornucopia Buffet and Saloon. A 234-room, Western-themed motel is adjacent to the property.

Fitzgeralds Casino Hotel Tunica "The Fitz"
711 Lucky Lane, Robinsonville, MS 38664
662-363-5825 • 800-766-5825
www.fitzgeraldstunica.com

Traveling through the holidays is one thing, but ending up at Fitzgeralds during St. Patrick’s Day is quite another issue indeed. The small, two-level casino seemed to have been steeped in a barrel of Oz- green emerald ink, with patrons everywhere drinking beer and wearing green “Kiss Me I’m Irish” shirts. But aside from the lunacy of the scene, the Fitz is normally a quiet, popular casino for locals and visitors looking to get away from the glitzier joints. Limerick’s Steakhouse is particularly inviting, and the 500-room hotel is built directly on the Mississippi River—in fact, the Fitz is the only Tunica casino built directly on the river, not in a channel or estuary leading off it.

Gold Strike Casino Resort
1010 Casino Center Dr., Robinsonville, MS 38664
662-357-1111 • 888-24K-STAY
www.goldstrikemississippi.com

A success story among success stories, the golden, 31-story monolith that is Gold Strike started its life as the nauseating Circus Circus, a low-end joint that seemed as out of place in Tunica as the Brooklyn Bridge in Beijing. Happily, after some serious renovation, the Gold Strike is more a southern cousin to the upscale Monte Carlo in Vegas, with its crystal chandeliers and intriguing obsidian waterfall. The “open air,” European-inspired Courtyard Buffet is particularly attractive.

Grand Casino Tunica Resort
13615 Old Highway 61 N, Robinsonville, MS 38664
662-363-2788 • 800-39GRAND
www.grandtunica.com

Built on more than 2,200 acres of cotton fields barely 30 miles south of Memphis, Grand Casino Tunica is literally the largest gaming resort between Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Since the property opened in 1996, it has grown and expanded to its current 140,000 square feet of multithemed casino space, with nearly 1,400 hotel rooms, housed in three separate and distinct buildings. The Grand Veranda and Grand Terrace are thoroughly delightful country club-style hotels, with sweeping lobbies, full hearth fireplaces, cocktail lounges and coffee bars. The complex features a wide variety of food outlets, including the renowned L.B.’s Steakhouse, its own golf course, convention center, full-service spa and a Kid’s Quest Child Care center.

Grand’s four-casinos-in-one gives gamblers a variety of environments to play in, without having to leave the casino. With all that daunting space, Grand’s designers employed different themes throughout the facility, thereby creating the perception of separate casinos. The Mardi Gras casino is probably the most popular area, with its moody French Quarter lighting, balconies and murals. This area is home to the greatest variety of slots, particularly multilines in lower denominations. Opposite the Mardi Gras is the Western casino, with a sports bar and the largest poker room in Tunica (if not the state). Square in the middle of these two areas is the Victorian casino, which features Grand’s sumptuous high-end slot area and lounge, all the table games, the central bar and L.B.’s gourmet steakhouse. The fourth “casino” is the nonsmoking, garden-themed Riverpark, located on the second level among the restaurants.

The casino is undergoing its share of food and beverage renovations as well. Recently completed was an overhaul of the Celebration Buffet and Murano’s Italian Restaurant. The Big Sky Steakhouse has been closed to make room for a different type of restaurant, but L.B.’s Steakhouse has remained blissfully untouched.

Resort's Casino & Hotel
1100 Casino Strip Blvd., Robinsonville, MS 38664
www.resorts.com

Still one of the best slot products in Tunica, made even better by a recent renovation that eliminated some table games and improved the slot layout dramatically. This is a classic Harrah’s casino, with well-designed gaming areas, comfortable chairs and employees who know what they’re doing. An excellent steakhouse is hidden upstairs next to the Fresh Market Square Buffet, with a perfect book-filled lounge that begs for martinis. The Club Cappuccino has been shifted to the entrance of the casino from the hotel side, and the New Orleans Bistro has been expanded. The property’s lobby and hotel rooms have also gotten a major overhaul, which was greatly needed. Don’t expect a hotel tower like Shreveport’s or Joliet’s, but certainly enjoy the large rooms and upgraded furnishings.

Hollywood Casino Resort
1150 Casino Strip Resort Blvd., Robinsonville, MS 38671
662-357-7700 • 800-871-0711
www.hollywoodtunica.com

Hooray for this casino, with its fascinating collection of movie memorabilia and “sound stage” theme. Of particular appeal is the highly-themed Safari Lounge, with its adjacent Adventure Slots area. Playing slots at Hollywood Tunica’s casino is like gambling on a movie set. Not only are there authentic movie props all around, but the high-ceilinged casino is designed to make you think you’re on the set of a Hollywood back lot. Dollar players will be pleased to know that 75 percent of Hollywood’s slot product is of the reel-spinning variety, not the videos, which many traditional slot players have shied away from.

“Our focus is on the player’s gaming experience by providing a high payback percentage that allows the player the opportunity to play longer and have a greater chance of winning,” says Jeff Strang, vice president of marketing for Hollywood Tunica. “In certain states, the payout percentages are published by casino each month. But in Mississippi, the State Gaming Commission publishes the payout percentage by region only and not by specific casino. We have been a market leader in the past five years when comparing ourselves with the Mississippi Gaming Commission market average. We also boast one of the highest same-day cashback programs and direct mail cash programs in town. This creates one of the highest, if not the highest, returns to the customer.”

This casino has become one of the most popular in the Tunica market, undoubtedly because of its slot paybacks and continually fresh appeal—the property is always undergoing some sort of transformation.

“Our most popular amenity is the Fairbank’s Steak House,” Strang continues. “When you want to take a break from the gaming experience our full-service Director’s Club Lounge creates a retreat for our premier players. The movie memorabilia creates our unique star-studded atmosphere. Our indoor pool and full-service RV park satisfies alternative interests.”

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Horseshoe Casino & Hotel
1021 Casino Center Dr., Robinsonville, MS 38664
662-357-5500 • 800-363-7666
www.horseshoe.com

Widely considered the most profitable casino in Tunica, the outstanding Horseshoe, with its rows of $5 machines, packed table games, the World Series of Poker, all-suite hotel, superlative restaurants and, of course, the historic panache of its owner, Jack Binion, has become chief among Tunica’s gambling destinations.

Like Donald Trump and Steve Wynn, Binion has become something of a celebrity in the communities where he operates. His television commercials have been compared to Wynn’s early Golden Nugget commercials, when Frank Sinatra would interrupt Wynn and ask for directions. Binion may not have Wynn’s movie star looks or Trump’s winner-take-all conceit, but he has a tremendous appeal to the common man, the gamblers who flock to his casinos to catch a glimpse not just of him, but what “real gambling” is all about. And considering his lineage, it’s a hard point to argue.

“Jack Binion is the icon of the gambling experience we provide at Horseshoe,” says Roger Wagner, president and chief operating officer of Horseshoe Gaming, and a former Trump president himself. “Our facilities are operated by an owner who cares very much for his guests, and who is personally embarrassed when his company screws up a guest visit to his casino. Jack is conspicuously present at all of his casinos, and the customers and employees expect to see him around checking on everything. Like Steve Wynn, Jack is something of a local celebrity, and we use him extensively in our media advertising and internal communication campaigns.

“Horseshoe is widely regarded as the most successful property in Mississippi because of the operating philosophy of Jack Binion,” Wagner continues. “He lives by an operating philosophy that has made the Horseshoe brand name synonymous with a high-quality gambling experience of personal service, superior odds, higher betting limits, great food and strong player rewards. The management team in Tunica, led by General Manager Bob McQueen, ensures that these core-branding values are not compromised… Our 2,400 Tunica employees are the best trained and have the best service attitudes of any casino in the area, pure and simple. That is why we have 23 percent of the revenue with only 13 percent of the gambling space in the region.”

Another key element in Horseshoe’s success is its incredibly strong food and beverage department. Not only does Jack Binion’s Steakhouse win awards year after year, the company recently spent millions on expanding and redesigning its Village Square Buffet and opening Tunica’s only Chinese restaurant, Yasmin’s. Café Sonoma is Tunica’s most eclectic restaurant, combining California-style, Pan-Asian cuisine with fresh local and imported seafood.

Quality food and beverage offerings are the hallmark of a Binion casino,” says Wagner. “Jack loves his food as much as his customers do. He eats in his buffets every day, and he is our company’s best food critic. Like Jack always says, ‘It doesn’t matter whether you are a high roller or a nickel slot player, your taste buds know good food.’ Great comps and great food create loyal customers. And good food separates the great casinos from the “also-rans.”

Currently under consideration for the property are an additional 300- to 400-suite tower, along with additional parking and an enlarged showroom. Spend a little time here and you’ll forget you’re floating on the Mississippi Delta.

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Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall
1477 Casino Strip Resorts Blvd., Robinsonville, MS 38664
662-363-0711 • 800-456-0711
www.samstowntunica.com

Modeled after the successful Sam’s Town concept in Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming’s Sam’s Town brings the Old West to the Mississippi Delta in a big way. This was really the first of the Tunica “megaresorts,” and still maintains a tremendously loyal clientele of gamblers who enjoy Sam’s low prices and machine variety. The property’s 850 hotel rooms overlook a garden atrium, and headline entertainment is highlighted at the River Palace Arena. Memphis-based Corky’s BBQ and the excellent Twain’s Steakhouse are two of the better restaurants in the shop-lined, two-level atrium.

The 94,000-square-foot casino is on two levels, a tradition started at the Vegas property that carried over to the barge concept very successfully. However, the casino has undergone serious renovations in the past year or two, changing its burgundy and dark wood “Western” theme to a much brighter, infinitely more inviting layout, with better sightlines and a host of new machines. Sam’s Town is definitely keeping up with the times—the property seems to be getting better and better.

And don’t forget to check out the recently expanded Emporium at Sam’s Town, filled with high-end crafts, dishes, watches, candles, artwork, boxes and a selection of artwork from local painters and craftsmen. A very well-chosen group of items, plus logo wear.

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Sheraton Casino & Hotel
1107 Casino Center Dr., Robinsonville, MS 38664
662-363-4900 • 800-391-3777
www.sheraton.com

Can this possibly be the same little casino that couldn’t make up its mind on which theme to pursue, and which slots to offer? Times certainly do change, and the Sheraton may very well be the best-kept secret in the Tunica market. Not only are the machines entirely updated, the casino has begun a “loosest slots” campaign that appears to have taken Tunica by storm.

The hotel, while small, is right out of Caesars Palace, including a European-style check-in area that eliminates the need for a front desk, but invites guests to sit on leather chairs at individual desks for personalized service. Hemming’s is the excellent Steakhouse on the second floor.

Tunica... once known as the nation's most chronically depressed places

Ten years ago, if outsiders even gave it a thought at all, they knew this rural stretch of northern Mississippi only for the blues and its reputation as one of the nation's most chronically depressed places.

But that all changed in 1992, when Tunica was transformed by casino gambling into a bustling entertainment hot spot, with 10 riverboat casinos, flashy hotels, restaurants and concert halls.

When casinos first started moving into Tunica, Memphis was worried. City leaders envisioned millions of dollars from tourists and residents flowing to Tunica and away from Memphis.

But Denise Taylor of the Memphis Convention and Visitor's Bureau said Tunica has helped the city draw tourists, since many of Tunica's visitors also come to Memphis.

"It's one more attraction we can offer people, especially for international visitors who tend to tour by an entire region rather than a single location," she said.

Mississippi approved casino gaming in 1990, but took a different approach than most other states.

Some states limit the number of casinos they will accept as well as the amounts of money gamblers can bet. Some require riverboats to cast off from shore before gaming can begin.

Mississippi allows 24-hour-a-day gambling on docked boats with no bet limits. There is no limit on the number of casinos the state will permit. The market decides that.

Tunica... A Growing Entertainment Destination!

TUNICA, Mississippi...In the heart of the place where "The Blues" was born and where Southern hospitality got its name, this fast-growing entertainment destination is opening exciting new attractions and giving the vacation traveler more to see and do than ever before.

One of the latest attractions is the new Tunica RiverPark on the banks of the Mississippi River. The $26 million museum and ecopark features an interpretive center with an outdoor observation platform that offers stunning views of the river.

There’s also a harbor, marina, aquarium, walking trails and a 300-passenger paddle wheel boat, the "Tunica Queen," for river excursions. The museum showcases the legend and life of the Mississippi River, from the early explorers to the modern-day engineers who designed management systems that tamed the river.

History buffs will also enjoy the Tunica Museum with its interactive displays about the Tunica area, and the new Veterans Memorial Plaza in downtown Tunica, a dramatic seven-foot bronze sculpture of three soldiers.

A trip to Tunica is not complete without a stop at the Hollywood Casino, Movie fans shouldn’t miss the displays of Hollywood memorabilia at the Hollywood Casino A fun filled experience for the young and young at heart!

The new Tunica National Golf & Tennis Club is a beautiful, tournament-level, 18-hole public golf course along with tennis facilities and clubhouse. The 212-acre golf course was designed by Mark McCumber and Associates, one of the world’s leading golf course architects, and offers a challenging experience for beginners as well as pros.

The complex has a 20,000-square-foot clubhouse housing Murphy's Grill Restaurant and a pro shop. Tunica National’s tennis center has four Davis Cup indoor clay tennis courts – the only Hydro-Grid Har-Tru indoor clay courts south of Washington, D.C. A former world-ranked A.T.P. tennis player serves as the club’s tennis pro, creating an exceptional experience for team players, novices and professional-level players.

In addition to Tunica National, golfers will enjoy Tunica’s other championship courses, River Bend Links at Casino Strip Resorts, designed by Clyde Johnston, and Cottonwoods Golf Course at Grand Casino. In addition, Tunica’s visitors can "play golf with a shotgun" in a scenic environment along the river at the Willows Trap, Skeet & Sporting Clays Center at Grand Casino.

Tunica’s nine casino resorts have been the mainstay for fun-seekers throughout the South for more than 10 years. Vegas-Style 24/7 Casino Gaming combined with Headline Entertainment, championship golf and tennis, new museums, riverboat, fabulous dining and shopping make Tunica a vacation destination where visitors can explore heritage and history while enjoying first-class hotel accommodations and top-notch gaming entertainment – all at a terrific value.

Tunica is just 30 minutes south of Memphis, and within a day’s drive from all points in the central United States. Memphis International Airport is just 30 minutes away, and a major expansion of Tunica Airport was completed last year. Charters and private aircraft are flying to the resort daily.

For visitor information and a free copy of the Tunica Visitor’s Guide, call 888-4TUNICA (488-6422) or visit Tunica’s website at www.tunicamiss.com

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AERIAL SHOTS OF TUNICA SURROUNDINGS

Tunica's Main Street...

Tunica Main Street is a part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Main Street Approach is a community-driven, comprehensive methodology used to revitalize older, traditional business districts throughout the United States. It is a common-sense way to address the variety of issues and problems that face traditional business districts.

The underlying premise of the Main Street approach is to encourage economic development within the context of historic preservation in ways appropriate to today's marketplace.

The Main Street Approach advocates a return to community self-reliance, local empowerment, and the rebuilding of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of community.

The Main Street Four-Point Approach™ is a comprehensive strategy that is tailored to meet local needs and opportunities. It encompasses work in four distinct areas... Design, Economic Restructuring, Promotion, and Organization... that are combined to address all of the commercial district's needs.

The philosophy and the Eight Guiding Principles behind this methodology make it an effective tool for community-based, grassroots revitalization efforts. The Main Street approach has been successful in communities of all sizes, both rural and urban.

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Tunica's Main Street...