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Site OK sought for Tunica casinos
Message was posted: 09:50 Jul 20th, 2006

User: beerstein Rank: Casino Gold: 1727CG Contributor rating: 3560 Status: Offline

Casinos news from http://www.clarionledger.com/ Three groups that want to build casinos in Tunica as part of the proposed $1.9 billion Myriad World Resorts will seek site approval today from the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Myriad World Resorts has drawn attention for its plans that include a climate-controlled,18-hole golf course enclosed by a dome, observation wheel like the London Eye, six casinos, convention center, entertainment venue, spa, water park and snow park. Myriad World Resorts has a license to operate one of the six casinos. The three groups seeking approvals of their sites along Old River Lake are MHA Gaming Co. LLC, owned by the Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation and based in New Town, N.D.; Sky Dancer LLC, owned by the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and based in New Town, N.D.; and High Plains Holding Co. in Minot, N.D., which is co-owned by Ervin J. Lee of Minot, N.D., and Dwaine J. Heinrich of Jamestown, N.D., and managed by Lee. The companies plan to build casinos that would operate as commercial ventures, said Sam Begley of Jackson, attorney for the three groups. "It will not be tribal gaming. They will seek Mississippi gaming licenses and pay Mississippi taxes," he said. The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation operates 4 Bears Casino and Lodge in New Town, N.D. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa operates Sky Dancer Hotel & Casino, Turtle Mountain Bingo Sky Dancer and Turtle Mountain Mini Casino, all in Belcourt, N.D. Alan Meister, author of the Indian Gaming Industry Report that came out last month, said most tribes that operate casinos do so on tribal land. One exception is the Mashantucket Peuquot Tribal Nation that operates a casino in Connecticut and has received site approval to put a casino in Biloxi. Meister said it is unusual for a tribe to put a casino across country from where it is located. "It is definitely an interesting business plan to go that route," he said. Larry Gregory, executive director of the Gaming Commission, said he expects the three gaming commissioners to approve the three sites. The Gaming Commission also is expected to approve: A site south of the Mississippi River bridge in Vicksburg where Mississippi Bluffs Development LLC wants to put a casino. Plans include a golf course, which Gregory said would strengthen the Vicksburg gaming market. Relocation of the gaming floor at Hollywood Casino, formerly known as Casino Magic, in Bay St. Louis. The casino would be located temporarily in what used to be the lobby of the resort's high-rise hotel, Gregory said. The casino is expected to reopen in mid-September, he said.