Page 11 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Fall, 2025

Hugh Keating, pictured with his family, was inducted into the Mississippi Gaming Hall of Fame as an Industry Influencer. Days before the gala he was elected Gulfport mayor.
Gov. Kirk Fordice, Industry Regulatory/ Government Official
Fordice, who passed
away in 2004, played a
key role in the formation
of the Mississippi Gaming Commission by appointing its first three Commissioners
in 1993: Stuart C. Irby (Chairman), Robert C. Engram, and Bill Gresham, laying the foundation for what the industry has become today. Fordice served as governor from 1992 to 2000.
Accepting the award for the Fordice family, was Mark Garriga, a member of the
skeptical. “He simply could not understand why anybody would want a free job in government,” Garriga said. “And so if there were political appointments to be made,
he would say, so-and-so wants this job. And they’re disqualified. And it was kind of an interesting thing, because when it came time to appoint the Mississippi Gaming Commission, that’s when his instincts really kicked in, because he knew what needed to happen and what kind of gaming industry we needed to have.”
Fordice selected three individuals
who had three things in common: They were successful businessmen. They had impeccable credentials and reputations for honestsy and integrity. “None of them wanted the job,” Garriga said. “In fact, we had to talk Stuart Irby to it. He was offered the job twice until he finally accepted.”
Garriga continued, “And I’d like to think that that’s part of how this all started, and why it actually means something. It was
that first Mississippi Gaming Commission that made some crucial decisions about investing in Mississippi, just as one example, that made such a huge difference. And the legacy since then has been a commission that has been without blemish, and commissioners who’ve been outstanding and executive directors who’ve been outstanding. I want to say thank you for remembering how it all came about.”
A portion of the proceeds from the evening’s event went to the Hancock County Food Pantry. Jan Vest, treasurer of the nonprofit organization, presented the invocation at the dinner, and was on hand days later to accept the $4,000 donation.
Prior to the Hall of Fame Gala, the third annual Casino Cup Golf Tournament was held at The Bridges Golf Club at
Mississippi State Port Authority, allowing the Pride of Mississippi to operate out
of the Port of Gulfport. He also assisted Redd in obtaining the first Foreign Gaming License approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission, which allowed Redd an ownership interest in Pride of Mississippi’s gaming operations.
Additionally, Keating represented and assisted Redd, Carter and Green in drafting and lobbying for passage of the Cruise Vessel Gaming Act in March 1989. This allowed for gaming to commence once the vessel was underway and 1,500 yards from the dock. The act ultimately paved the way for dockside gaming.
Keating recalled how it all began — with
a phone call in 1988 from then-Secretary of State Dick Molpus, who had received a call from visionary Sy Redd. Redd, a native Mississippian, was in Nevada and heard about the cruises. He wanted to get back to his home state.
“So he calls Dave’s office and says, ‘Look, I heard about this thing going on down
on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I want to
do something. I want to bring my style of gaming to Mississippi.”
Keating continued, “Sy Redd asked Dick, ‘Who do you know to call on the Coast who can help me?’ And Dick gave him my name. That was an unexpected opportunity.”
From there, Keating connected Redd with Carter and Green. Over the next
few months, Keating and his team were able to get the Cruise Vessel Gaming Act passed into law. “That was the foundation for dockside gaming because the river counties, those folks couldn’t go up and down. The river was vacillating too much. And the next year, legislation got changed — dockside gaming. And the rest is history.”
Mississippi House of Representatives from 1991 to 1994 and Fordice’s chief of staff from 1994 to 1999.
“It’s an honor for me to be here for the family of Kirk Fordice and the folks who worked for him, especially those of you who were part of the administration so many years ago now,” Garriga said. “When Larry (Gregory) told me about why we were doing this, I have to be honest with you, I was taken aback a little bit, because let’s just say that Gov. Fordice’s relationship to the gaming industry was complicated.”
Garriga said Fordice had respect for what the industry did. “But it was a difficult relationship at times. But the legacy that we’re celebrating, is something that I really believe is something worth remembering.”
One of the things that Fordice thought about when he became governor, Garriga said, was political appointments. He had never been in politics before and very
Mark Garriga represented the family of the late Kirk Fordice at the Mississippi Gaming Hall of Fame gala. Garriga served as Fordice’s chief of staff.
Hollywood. Casinos, business
and individuals participated in
the tournament. The team from food and restaurant supply distributor Sysco came in first place, followed by two Island View Casino Resort teams in second and third place. The Casino Cup, awarded to the casino team with the lowest golf score, went to the Island View team comprised of resort owner Rick Carter, John Carter, Jake Carter and Mickey D’Angelo.
Additional trophies and prizes went to the player closest to the pin and those with the longest drives. And the team from Everi received a special prize for coming in last place.
FALL 2025 MISSISSIPPI GAMING NEWS 11