Page 114 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2025

The Mississippi gaming industry celebrated three new inductees into the Mississippi Gaming Hall of Fame during a gala that underscored the industry’s resilience and its vital role in the state’s economy.
The celebration came at a time when Mississippi’s gaming sector continues to serve as a cornerstone of the state’s economy. With more than two dozen casinos, the industry supports tens
of thousands of jobs and generates hundreds of millions in
tax revenue annually—funding everything from education to infrastructure. Despite economic shifts and challenges in
recent years, the industry has shown steady growth
and adaptability, reinforcing its status as a key
driver of statewide prosperity.
The industry’s impact is especially evident along the Gulf Coast, home to 12 casinos that employ more than 11,000 workers and account for more than half of the Mississippi’s total gaming revenue. These coastal properties have become major economic contributors to the region, attracting millions of visitors each year.
In recent years, area casinos have invested
heavily in renovations, new amenities, and community partnerships, enhancing the Gulf Coast’s reputation as a premier gaming and tourism destination.
Tourism is the state’s fourth largest industry, with gaming and hospitality playing a central role. According to the 2024 Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association Annual Report, presented to the Mississippi Legislature at the first session of 2025, the state’s casinos generated $2.43 billion in gross gaming revenue and $3.24 billion in total revenue in 2024. Non-gaming revenue reached $808 million, a slight increase from 2023.
Of the $3.24 billion total, $2.23 billion came from the Gulf Coast region, where non-gaming revenue from other attractions added to the revenue generated from 11,000 slot machines, 450
story by
Lori Beth Susman
table games and nearly 30 poker tables. Restaurants, retail outlets, spas, and convention spaces continue to attract visitors who spend significantly on these amenities, solidifying gaming as a cornerstone of Mississippi’s tourism industry and a powerful economic engine.
State government, as well as local municipalities, receive a share of the revenue as casinos pay an 8 percent state tax on gross gaming revenue and a 4 percent local tax, which is split among cities and counties where casinos operate. These millions in taxes fund vital public services, including education, transportation and
emergency response.
This year’s Mississippi Gaming Hall of Fame gala
marked the seventh year for the MGHA event. The 2025 class included gaming executive
Duncan McKenzie, Industry Pioneer; Gulf Coast attorney Hugh Keating, Industry
Influencer; and former Gov. Kirk Fordice (1992-2000), honored posthumously in the category for Industry Regulatory/ Government Official.
McKenzie, with more than 20 years of leadership in Mississippi’s casino industry,
has significantly contributed to the gaming industry by revitalizing multiple properties,
achieving targeted financial returns, and serving as president of several gaming associations while actively
participating on community boards.
Keating, the recently elected Gulfport mayor, assisted in drafting
and lobbying for passage of the Cruise Vessel Gaming Act in March 1989. This step ultimately paved the way for dockside gaming, which became legalized in 1992.
And while governor, Fordice appointed the first Mississippi Gaming Commission in 1993, laying the foundation for what the industry has become today.
Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast in Bay St. Louis was the host of
the event, which included the Casino Cup Golf Tournament earlier in the day at The Bridges Gulf Club.
114 | August 2025
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Gaming Industry Update