Gaming Guru

Heard it on the River

But a new development that will be of interest to the state's 33,000 casino employees also occurred. The MISSISSIPPI GAMING ASSOCIATON, with approval of all general managers of casinos in the state, announced the formation of MISSISSIPPI GAMING NEWS (MGN), the only industry-led publication that will be available to all casino employees and executives in our fair state. Making its debut in July, the publication will be delivered directly to y'all. The MGAhas partnered with MORRIS SPECIALTY PUBLISHING and you are familiar with their other state-wide publication, JACKPOT! MAGAZINE, the premier guide to gaming in the state.

ANDY BOURLAND, MGA executive director, said that GAMING NEWS will be very valuable to the state's gaming industry because it will provide a venue for communicating with the state's entire gaming workforce and will also be a benefit to the many businesses who want to initiate, maintain or increase their company's exposure to the industry. You and your co-workers will get current legislative news related to the industry, news about casino employees, community activities, career and education informtion and a whole lot more in a variety of news topics on a monthly basis. Publisher MICHAEL SUNDERMAN, the spark behind this effort and a gaming industry expert, heads up the effort that will be managed by an editor yet to be named. Yours truly will also be involved as a contributing feature writer and sales consultant. PATRICIAPAIR, general manager of our Jackpot!, will also be involved locally. If you want to know more about Mississippi Gaming News editorial opportunities or advertising, email me at goodtimesradio@aol.com or call me at (901) 647-7730. This is going to be a first class newspaper that will grow into a valuable source of information about our industry. We think it is the first casino association publication to be targeted strictly at casino employees for any state.

The establishment of Mississippi Gaming News reflects what has occurred in the first 10 years of growth in Mississippi. Some 33,000 workers enjoy an annual payroll of more than $912 million, cumulative tax revenues exceed $2.3 billion, casinos have invested more than $4.3 billion in facilities without costing the state one cent in financial incentives or tax breaks and tourism, retail, real estate and virtually every sector of the economy have flourished in Mississippi since the industry was launched in 1992. Pretty good track record, I would say.

Was pleasantly surprised to run into GOLDSTRIKE execs, NANCY DARCY and JENNIFER BOREK, manning a booth at the Southern Gaming Summit. They are heading up an effort to establish a CASINO MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION chapter for Tunica that will be part of a network of casino professionals from across the country with a goal of developing and expanding concrete educational programs and certification standards for its members and the gaming industry. You can read more about this worthy development in our next issue but if you want information to join right away, you can check it out at www.CMAweb.org

If you would like to get returns from "VICE", you can invest in it via the VICE FUND. I am not personally plugging this mutual fund but thought the name was unique enough for a mention here. The fund covers a basket of stocks in alcohol, tobacco, gaming and more. The new fund is available for purchase on the NASDAQ, ticker symbol VICEX. You can check it out at www.VICEFUND.com. Good luck.

SAM'S TOWN just got over its motorcycle festival and didn't waste much time in announcing its WINNING WHEELS fun car show for July 11-13 which it will host in association with MEMPHIS STREET RODS. You can see all the classics from 1972 and earlier and attend concerts by PAPA DOO RUN RUN, JAN and DEAN and take part in cash prize drawings, a swap meet and more.

I'll be at the Tunica salute to tourism and business luncheon being held at FITZGERALDS on May 28 sponsored by the CHAMBER of COMMERCE and the CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU. It will honor Tunica's leaders and awards will be presented for tourism and business achievements followed by a guided tour of the Tunica RIVERPARK. All this for only ten bucks. This is a packed event so call early for reservations to MARY HODGES at (662) 363-3800.

GRAND'S FOOD & BEVERAGE team staged quite a gastronomic event recently when it hosted CHAINE des ROSTISSEURS, the acclaimed international society dedicated to the promtion of the culinary and hospitality arts and oenology through example, eduction and camaraderie. If you think you've sampled gourmet cuisine, think again. See the story on this event on page 13 in this issue and check out the menu. It was an oustanding evening!

ANTHONY F. SANTO, a recent speaker at the Southern Gaming Summit, is the new senior VP Western and Mid-South regions for Park Place Entertainment. A22-year veteran of the gaming biz, he oversees operations of a dozen PPE casino resorts in Mississippi, Nevada, Louisiana and Indiana.

PEARL RIVER RESORT is offering free play to slot players at the GOLDEN MOON CASINO. Slot players can spin specially-designated machines for five minutes of free play and keep their winnings.

FROM THE QUOTABLE GAMBLER ... Lyons Press "Big egos and big losses go hand in hand." - JOHN GOLLEHON, A Gambler's Little Instruction Book (1994) Check out the GoodTimes gaming show on www.goodtimesradio.com ... it's archived if you missed it.

LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER