Page 8 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Spring, 2026

Employees display holiday spirit of giving
MISSISSIPPI — In the glittering world of Mississippi casinos, where the bright lights and spinning wheels bring excitement every night, the holiday season revealed a quieter, more powerful kind of magic. During the festive season, the same team members who deal the cards, serve the cocktails, and make every guest room feel like home stepped away from the tables, the dining rooms, and the housekeeping carts to become holiday heroes for children in need.
Through heartfelt contributions to
toy drives and Angel Tree programs, dedicated casino and hotel team members went shopping in their off time, carefully choosing gifts they hoped would light up little faces on Christmas morning. What began as individual acts of kindness — a dealer wrapping a doll, a server picking
out a remote-control truck, a housekeeper selecting a bicycle — added up to countless fulfilled wishes across the state.
Because in Mississippi’s casino communities, the spirit of giving doesn’t stop at the property lines. It reaches the children who matter most. Summing up the feelings of many in the industry, Roscoe Greene, president and general manager at Harlow’s Casino Resort & Spa, commented on his property’s contributions to a Greenville toy giveaway. “We recognize the value of giving back to our community. [At
Agency (WWISCAA) Angel Tree and the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County. They provided and wrapped gifts for the families.
In Tunica, Gold
Strike Casino Resort,
in partnership with
Sacred Heart Southern
Missions’ Angel Tree
program, donated
gifts for more than
50 children in need
during the holiday
season. Gold Strike
displayed the Angel Tree in the casino’s lobby, providing the opportunity for team members and guests to adopt a child
in need, known as an angel. Numerous individuals participated, helping to make the holidays brighter for many area children and families.
Gold Strike, a Sacred Heart supporter for more than 17 years, also provided
extra toys, dolls and board games to support additional angels in need, allowing Sacred Heart to distribute the gifts before Christmas. Casino leadership said the effort reflects Gold Strike’s ongoing commitment to serve the community in the spirit of
Bally’s Vicksburg donated to the local Shop With A Cop. General Manager Derrius Morris (second from right) and property executives presented the check to Shop With A Cop leadership.
Harlow’s Casino Resort & Spa President and General
Manager Roscoe Greene (left) was happy to show to Greenville Mayor Errick D. Simmons the bicycles and toys that were collected for a local toy drive.
giving throughout the Mid- South.
Fitz Casino & Hotel donated $5,000 to the Walls, Mississippi, Shop With A Cop program,
with the money used to help purchase gifts for children in the area. Fitz Vice President and General Manager Tony Scudiero even participated in the shopping at a local big box store, where the children and their families were able to shop with local law
Ameristar Casino Hotel supported Toys for Tots with more than 50 team members donating toys and gift items.
“At Ameristar Vicksburg, we are not just a workplace, we are part of this community, and we consistently strive to be a positive partner,” said LaKesha Hodge, vice president of human resources. “Supporting Toys for Tots allows us to give back to local children and families in a meaningful way, especially during the holiday season.”
Hodge said the initiative brings team members together, giving them a shared purpose beyond their daily roles. “Our employees take pride in coming together to make a tangible difference for children in our community.”
Along the Gulf Coast, Hard Rock partnered with CASA of Harrison County to adopt 10 children for the holiday season. Employees were able to fulfill the wish lists of all the children, ensuring they woke up to presents on Christmas morning.
Families staying at the Gulf Coast Center
Harlow’s] we aim to make a positive impact and inspire others to do the same.”
The holiday acts of kindness took many forms, including Harlow’s donating to
the 17th annual Simmons & Simmons Christmas toy giveaway, an event
that Greene says highlights Harlow’s commitment to serving those in need. Trop Greenville adopted 12 families
through the Warren-Washington- Issaquena-Sharkey Community Action
enforcement and community personnel. A Shop With A Cop program was also
held in Vicksburg, where Bally’s Vicksburg donated $500 to the Vicksburg Police Department holiday program. More than a dozen children went shopping alongside officers to pick the gifts that would make their Christmas dreams come true.
Also in Vicksburg, Riverwalk Casino Hotel donated to several agencies that helped provide holiday excitement for children.
Hollywood Gulf Coast employees show off some of the toys collected for their Holiday Helper program.
8MISSISSIPPI GAMING NEWS
SPRING 2026