Margaritaville Casino in Biloxi Closes Its Doors

Back in July it was announced that the Margaritaville Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi would close on or before September 19th. On Monday night, the doors closed.

Allen Godfrey, executive director of the Gaming Commission, told the Sun Herald that officials from the casino notified them they would close at 10 p.m.

“We were made aware of this and we’ll have agents on standby,” he said.

A train clacked by around 9:30 p.m., its whistle a last call for the casino that opened in 2012 with a concert by Jimmy Buffett.

A couple moving from Michigan to Nevada pulled in and when they learned it was the final hour, hurried inside to buy a souvenir T-shirt.

A few employees carried items to their cars, while others not scheduled to work headed in one last time.

“We’ve been here since Day 1,” a woman said while another said, “We’re just saying goodbye to our co-workers.”

The third woman said, “it’s sad but …” and shrugged her shoulders.

The employee parking lot was empty and the staff was parked in the regular lot.

“The employees are going to be paid through the 19th as promised,” said Michael Cavanaugh, attorney for MVB Holdings, which operated the casino.

Cavanaugh said the company was unable to come to an agreement with the landlords to build a hotel on the property, which the management said is needed for the casino to stay in business.

“Everybody wants a better outcome,” Cavanaugh said, “everybody but the landlords.”

The landowners won’t be able to step in and run the casino, he said. “When we close down the license is history.”

Gaming Commission regulations now require a casino to have a 200-room hotel and other amenities before they open.

(hat tip Tony)