In East Biloxi, Mississippi, developers are in the process of proposing two new casinos that are seeking approval from the Mississippi Gaming Commission. These two properties, located close to each other, are expected to bring significant enhancements to the gaming and entertainment scene in Biloxi.
According to Jay McDaniel, the executive director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, he clarified that “They’re two different casinos.” The Tullis Gardens Hotel and Casino, situated to the west of Harrah’s Gulf Coast, and Biloxi Capital’s venture near landmarks like the Biloxi Yacht Club and the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art are the two projects in question.
The journey towards the construction of these casinos begins with the crucial step of obtaining site approval from the three-member Gaming Commission. Tullis Gardens is already on the agenda for the upcoming Commission meeting in Jackson, while Biloxi Capital’s proposal is currently in the legal advertisement phase, which is scheduled to take place across three weeks in October.
Initially envisioned as a standalone resort, the Tullis Gardens Hotel has now incorporated a casino into its design after a feasibility study showed that it was necessary for profitability. The expanded plan includes an additional 100 rooms to meet the 300-room minimum requirement set by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. The proposed amenities for the significantly larger casino resort include a 53,280 square foot casino floor, 909 slot machines, 35 table games, and a sports book to create a comprehensive entertainment environment.
The majority owner of the Tullis Gardens project is Israel “Izzy” Schwartz of Tennessee, with a 90% stake, while his attorney Luke Lenzi holds the remaining 10% and also serves as the chief executive officer. On the other hand, Biloxi Capital, along with developer Danny Conwill, acquired the Tivoli site for $40 million after Hurricane Katrina, taking advantage of its zoning for casino development since 2007.
Biloxi is already home to eight casinos, with many other proposals for new ones over the years. In December 2023, RW Development received site approval for a new casino at U.S. 90 and Veterans Boulevard, with a stipulation that development must commence within three years. The planned Rock & Brews casino resort by the rock band KISS was unfortunately canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and the site is now transitioning into a new entertainment venue called Hammered Harry’s.
