Today marks three decades of ‘dockside gaming’ in Biloxi

As improbable as it was that Mississippi would legalize gambling, there was one sure bet: Biloxi, with its colorful history and prime locale, would be a major player. 

And today, Aug. 1, 2022 marks 30 years to the day when thousands lined up in the scorching, humid Biloxi weather for a chance to pull a slot machine handle or roll the dice, legally.  

This month’s issue of BNews Monthly captures some of the casino gaming industry’s highlights from Day One, three decades ago.

The 28-page, advertiser-supported city newsletter includes two stories, “Celebrating 30 years of Gaming in Biloxi” featured on pages 11-13, and “Bets placed on Biloxi for years,” a Back in the Day from August 2020 on pages 26-27.

BNews Monthly for August 2022 also includes updates on developments taking place in the city; improvements scheduled for Hiller Park’s boat launch; the new, interactive Crime Mapping portal to improve the public’s awareness of safety; the Community Calendar; infrastructure progress maps, and August listings for BTV-the city’s municipal television channel.

Also today, you can read the insider’s story from those who were there, 30 years ago, when legalized gambling began in Biloxi. “Buckle Up Biloxi! Thirty years of rockin’ and rollin’ with legal casino gaming,” was written for Global Gaming Business Magazine by Vincent Creel, the city’s former public affairs manager.

Said Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, “For Biloxi, gambling is nothing new. It’s part of Biloxi’s history, but it has certainly evolved over the last 30 years, in big ways and mostly all good.”
See the August 2022 BNews Monthly
See “Buckle up, Biloxi” in Global Gaming Business


News & notes: Weekly reports, council, B-Alert

The week that was: Get the behind-the-scenes details on the week that was in Biloxi. Weekly reports from the departments of Police, Fire, and Community Development are online for review. To see the reports from last week and an archive of weekly reports, click here.

City Council: The Biloxi City Council will hold a special-called budget hearing on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. at Biloxi City Hall followed by a regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. To see the agendas for both meetings, click here.

B-Alert: Stay in the know about road closures, road re-openings, and other traffic advisories by signing up for B-Alert. It’s a real-time, on-the-go messaging system that brings advisories directly to your cell phone. Just text BILOXI to 99411.