Six of the nine casinos in Biloxi have main entrances on Beach Boulevard, the 25-mile stretch of U.S. 90 between Bay St. Louis and Biloxi Bay along Mississippi's Gulf Coast. The Beach Boulevard casinos, which sat on docked barges on the Gulf of Mexico, were severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Most of them were rebuilt inland within 800 feet of the shoreline and re-opened the following summer.
The Grand Biloxi is a Harrah's Entertainment property that replaced the Grand Casino Biloxi, destroyed when Katrina washed its barge about 500 feet inland across Beach Boulevard. Harrah's had purchased the property from Caesars Entertainment a few months before the hurricane, with plans to re-brand it as a Horseshoe Casino. The new complex opened in August 2006 as a 35,000-square-foot casino and a 500-room hotel--much smaller than its predecessor, which included 106,000 square feet of gaming space and two hotels and 975 rooms. The Grand Biloxi features 800 slot machines and 30 gaming tables. Among the property's restaurants are LB's Steakhouse, Grand Buffet and Cuu Long Souper Pho. Harrah's purchased the neighboring Casino Magic property and announced plans to build Margaritaville Casino Resort in partnership with singer Jimmy Buffet. But financing difficulties forced an indefinite postponement of the project.
Grand Biloxi Casino Hotel and Spa
280 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS 39530
(800) 946-2946
grandcasinobiloxi.com
The 32-story Beau Rivage Resort hotel, the tallest building in Mississippi, survived Katrina. But its first three floors were flooded, and the property's casino barge was nearly destroyed. Owner MGM Mirage had a new casino built inland and renovated the hotel in time to reopen on Aug. 29, 2006, the one-year anniversary of Katrina. Beau Rivage is the biggest employer in the state, with nearly 4,000 employees. The casino features more than 2,000 slot machines, nearly 100 table games and a 16-table poker room that hosts a monthly, $20,000-guaranteed, no-limit Texas Hold 'Em tournament. The complex includes six restaurants and several snack bars and lounges. A 1,500-seat theater regularly hosts musical and comedy headliners. The property also includes the Tom Fazio-designed Fallen Oak championship golf course.
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
875 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS 39530
(888) 567-6667
beaurivage.com
Construction on the Hard Rock Biloxi was completed in 2005, but Katrina destroyed the casino and damaged the hotel three days before the scheduled grand opening. A dispute between owner Premier Entertainment and investors delayed reconstruction, but the complex finally opened in June 2007. The 50,000-square-foot casino features more than 1,200 slot machines, 50 table games and a poker room. The 318-room hotel welcomes pets for a fee. Hard Rock Cafe and Ruth's Chris Steak House highlight the dining options. Hard Rock Live welcomes national headliners, and Road House Live hosts local musical acts.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi
777 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS 39530
(228) 374-7625
hardrockbiloxi.com
