Page 20 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2018

COASTNOTES
OPENS $75 million SMOKE-FREE BEACH CASINO story by Lori Beth Susman photos by Donn Hupp
Officials with Island View Casino Resort opened the doors to the new Beach Casino on June 21 in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local and state dignitaries. The $75 million expansion, located on the south side of Highway 90, is the fourth phase of growth for Island View, owned by Rick Carter and Terry Green.
“I never get tired of grand openings,”
said Green. Once the ribbon fell, guests filed into the 43,000-square-foot smoke- free casino, sitting down to play slots and picking seats at blackjack tables. A local band performed on the new casino showbar stage and lights throughout the casino flashed and changed colors.
With this expansion, Island View boasts the largest casino floor in Mississippi, totaling 126,000 square feet of gaming space. The Gulfport resort’s dual casino options offer guests a choice of smoking or non-smoking with both casinos offering promotions and giveaways, high-quality games and first-class entertainment. The Beach Casino has 900 reel and video slots and 18 table games.
“As a private, locally owned business, we recognized the opportunity to further invest in the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s future. This casino expansion strongly supports our area’s tourism industry and generates an economic impact from the 300 new jobs that we have created,” said Carter.
Added Green, “Our focus has always been on delivering a great resort experience with memorable service for our guests. Island View’s Beach Casino gives guests a smoke- free option without giving up the amenities they have come to enjoy.”
The Beach Casino’s design features floor- to-ceiling windows with views of the Mississippi Sound. The expansion also
includes the Prime Cut restaurant, the Dockside Deli, the Beach Coffee Shop and Gulf Breeze Daiquiris. Other amenities include entertainment on the new stage built in the center of the Beach Casino and a new sports bar where Island View will ultimately offer sports betting.
At Prime Cut, guests will enjoy beach views while dining on prime rib, steak and fresh fish. The restaurant also includes the Prime Cut Bar. Friendly servers dish up soup, salads and sandwiches in the new Dockside Deli, which has seating inside and outside on the deck. The Beach Coffee Shop, located in front of the casino, is open 24 hours and features fresh-made salads, sandwiches and baked goods. And, the daiquiri bar caters to guests on the gaming floor with a variety of frozen drinks.
Guests can enjoy live entertainment Thursday through Saturday at the Beach Casino Showbar.
The Beach Casino is connected to the property on the north side of the highway by a pedestrian sky bridge. There is also shuttle service between the two casinos, and plenty of surface parking.
Lindsey Inman, Island View CEO, said, “Guests will enjoy the same games and promotions on the beach side as they have come to expect on the north side of the property. This is the first and only casino on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to actually be built as smoke-free.”
20 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • August 2018
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Rick Carter,
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and Terry Green.