Margaritaville Online, the social game from Jimmy Buffett that many of you have already been playing via the Buffett Beta Club, will be released to the general public on January 18th.

Along with the public release will come cross-platform support for iPhone and iPad. Up until now the game has only been playable through Facebook.

“The Margaritaville laidback state of mind is inherently social, and THQ (the game developer) has captured the spirit of that lifestyle in this game,” said Buffett. “With Margaritaville Online, fans across the globe can party together any time and any place.”

Developed by Exploding Barrel Games, the 3D open world features tropical environments and a full catalog of Buffett’s music. Players can create their own island resort, play mini-games and interact with characters from Buffett’s songs and literary works including Captain Tony and Joe Merchant. They’ll even be able to create their own band.

WLOX Channel 13 in Biloxi, Mississippi checked in on the progress of the Margaritaville Casino under construction on the Gulf Coast and found that work is moving at a dizzying pace.

Officials say the casino is on pace for a Memorial Weekend 2012 opening.

Watch the video report:

The Shreveport Times reports that Bossier City residents have approved plans to expand gaming to include a new Margaritaville Casino and Resort:

Sixty-one percent of Bossier Parish voters said “yes” Saturday to expanding riverboat gaming to include a new 18-story Margaritavile-themed resort casino, unofficial but complete results show. Thirty-nine percent voted in opposition.

“We’re ecstatic and so pleased that the citizens of Bossier had the confidence in us to do this,” said Deborah Harkins, a spokeswoman for the casino project.

The $195 million project will feature a single level gaming floor with 1,275 slot machines, 38 table games and the Margaritaville trademark It’s 5 o’Clock Somewhere bar. In addition, the 400-room resort hotel will include a two-story entertainment complex, spa and fitness center, lavish pool area with swim up bar and a 400-seat Margartaville restaurant.

Construction on the Margaritaville Casino and Resort is expected to begin January 1st with a grand opening in May 2013.

On Oct. 14th at 5 O’clock in the evening Margaritaville broke the World Record for the largest margarita ever made as verified by Guinness World Records. The event was part of the Grand Opening festivities for the new Margaritaville Casino at Flamingo in Las Vegas.

Halfway through the ceremony celebrating the new World Record, Jimmy Buffett surprised fans by coming out and raising a glass of Lucky Rita with the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team along with Flamingo’s Rick Mazer and Margaritaville’s Tamara Baldanza in front of more than 1,000 Parrotheads and onlookers.

“Much appreciation for these great wounded warriors, who I’ve worked with for a long time. Gentleman, thank you for coming out. We’re going to have a good time this weekend. Let the FIN begin,” said Buffett.

Lucky Rita is now on sale to the public allowing guests a taste of history and an opportunity to contribute to a great cause. For every gallon of Lucky Rita sold, Margaritaville will donate $5 to the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team. More than a margarita, Lucky Rita is a concoction with a cause.

“I am thrilled we have expanded our relationship with Margaritaville,” said Rick Mazer president of Flamingo Las Vegas, “and now together we have opened the first-ever Margaritaville Casino.”

After six months of planning, the mixing of the colossal 8,500 gallon beverage, appropriately named “Lucky Rita,” began its first pour on Oct. 11, 2011. Lucky Rita took an estimated 300 work hours to mix the concoction.

The Flamingo Las Vegas confirmed today that Jimmy Buffett will be on hand this Friday as the Lucky Rita world record margarita is topped off and the first drink is poured from it.

So be sure to come out on Friday to celebrate and see Jimmy at the grand opening ceremony! Then stick around the next day to see him perform at the MGM Grand!

Meanwhile, watch the progress on Lucky Rita live here.

Get more details on the world record attempt here.