| | |  | Last Updated: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 |  | | | Gambling in Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
- Monday, 28 Nov 2005
Hurricane Katrina has had a devastating effect on the US Gulf gambling industry. Many offshore gambling facilities were demolished. Land based gambling resorts were not spared as they also sustained heavy damages. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina many gambling operators have worked diligently to get their casinos up and running once again. One of these land based gambling facilities scheduled for reopening is Imperial Palace, which will be the first of three Gulf casinos expected to reopen by the end of the year.
The Imperial Palace Casino will increase its slot machines from 1,400 to 1,900, its table gambling games from 36 to 52 and will add a 16-table poker room. It will also have a new 470-seat buffet, steak and seafood restaurant, and 1,088 renovated guest rooms. In addition to the Imperial Palace, reopening dates have been set for the Isle of Capri and the Palace Casino in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The storm, which struck Aug. 29, damaged or destroyed most of the 12 coast casinos and a 13th about to open. The Imperial Palace reopens on Dec. 20. The reopening will be followed by the Isle of Capri on Dec. 26 and the Palace Casino’s on Dec. 30.
The Isle of Capri gambling resort is putting its casino inside its new hotel tower; the Palace’s initial operation will be smaller than it was before Hurricane Katrina. Owen Nitz, a member of the family trust that owns the Imperial Palace, recently told the Mississippi Gaming Commission the casino and hotel amenities will be completely revamped. “It’s going to be a mindblower”, Nitz said.
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