![]() ![]() The storm made landfall the next day, and the storm surge carried the Casino Magic barge 400 feet from its mooring spot, leveling a pawn shop across Beach Boulevard, and sections of the hotel building were destroyed. In 2005, with Hurricane Katrina approaching, the state ordered all coastal casinos to close on August 28. The first hurricane to strike the region after the opening of casinos was Hurricane Georges in 1998, a Category 2 storm which caused $2.5 million in damage to Casino Magic. Instead, Casino Magic installed a massive mooring system and acquired a submersible barge that could be sunk offshore from the barges to act as a breakwater. The company hoped to install an anchoring system in Biloxi's Back Bay, where the barges could weather a storm away from the open sea, but the plan was rejected by local officials who feared the vessels could become debris, and damage homes or bridges. Planning for a hurricane strike began early in the property's history. The Isle of Capri Casino is seen in the background. Destruction by Hurricane Katrina Ĭasino Magic's shuttered hotel, a year after Hurricane Katrina washed away the casino barge. Construction plans for the new hotel were pushed back to 2006, though, while Pinnacle focused on building the L'Auberge du Lac Resort in Louisiana. Plans included two new parking garages to be built jointly with the Isle of Capri and Grand Casino, and an additional 300-room hotel, possibly to be developed with Jimmy Buffett under his Margaritaville brand. Louis property, along with its Boomtown Biloxi casino, enabling it to focus resources on Casino Magic Biloxi. (later Pinnacle Entertainment), which bought Casino Magic Corp. In October 1998, the property came under the ownership of Hollywood Park, Inc. The company hoped it would help attract more high-end players from among the new overnight guests drawn by expanded jet service at the Gulfport-Biloxi Airport. The 378-room hotel opened on May 1, 1998. įinally, though, the company pressed forward with the hotel on top of the parking garage, part of a $22-million plan begun in 1996, including a new facade and restaurant. The land was initially earmarked for parking, with a possible hotel and retail complex in the future. In 1995 it bought Casino One Corp., which held a lease and option on 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) of land adjacent to Casino Magic, from the Gaming Corporation of America for $13 million in stock. A $9-million parking garage was built in 1994, with plans to build a $15-million hotel on top of it, but the company wavered on those plans because of the high expense. Without such amenities, the Biloxi casino largely relied on bus tours and day-trippers from nearby states. Louis property, where it built a hotel, marina, RV park, restaurants, and a golf course. Regulations required Casino Magic to build a 250-room hotel or spend at least a quarter of its investment on land, but the company met this requirement by developing its Bay St. Additional space opened in December, bringing the total to 55,000 square feet (5,100 m 2) of gaming, with 1,160 slot machines, 69 table games, and a keno parlor. The casino opened on June 5, at a cost of $55 million. ![]() The casino would be three stories, with a companion five-story floating parking garage. Louis, unveiled plans in January 1993 for a second casino barge, to be located in Biloxi next to the Isle of Capri casino at Point Cadet. History Casino Magic Ĭasino Magic Corp., operator of a casino by the same name in the Gulf Coast town of Bay St. Ĭasino Magic and its neighbors, the Isle of Capri Biloxi and Grand Casino Biloxi made up a district known as "Casino Row". The property has a 373-room hotel, located on 10.6 acres (4.3 ha) of land. ![]() It previously operated with a dockside casino as Casino Magic Biloxi Casino & Hotel, until it was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Margaritaville Resort Biloxi is a resort hotel in Biloxi on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Building in Biloxi, Mississippi Margaritaville Resort Biloxi ![]()
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