Gaming Guru

Heard it on the River

Over time we have heard news about possible NASCAR involvement in TUNICA COUNTY, but it was in the form of rumors. We heard it again recently, but this time we checked it out with the man who knows what's going on here, KEN MURPHREE, Tunica County administrator. Ken said that private parties have been talking to the county about a track—checking out sites, sizing up infrastructure requirements and so on, but nothing has been solidified.

I think such a facility, especially if it had a tie-in with NASCAR, would be a boon for the county and the casinos here and would speed up development. In the meantime, our TUNICA NAVY is about to become operational and that's an infrastructure amenity we can count on to bring in more visitors. It will be a first class operation. It appears the TUNICA QUEEN, a most exciting non-casino attraction, will possibly start plying the waters of the Mississippi River in late August with four daily cruises and seating for 300 on the paddlewheeler.

We snuck dockside adjacent to FITZGERALDS where the Queen is now berthed and being outfitted. It appears the dock is ready, although steps and walkways from the River Park museum there still have to be built for passenger access. If the final work gets completed in time, the Queen will sail soon. There is a complete feature on this subject beginning on page 1.

And we heard that the Airport will be ready to land aircraft in about two weeks. I hope somebody is booking those junkets. Moving up is HANK THOMAS who has been named as assistant general manager at Sam's Town to GM JOHN PHILLIP.

For all you listeners who have been fans of the GOODTIMES RADIO SHOW, thanks for being with us these past nine years as we celebrate our anniversary on July 12. It's been a great run for the show on SPORTSPLUS 790WMC AM, Memphis. We thank all our casino sponsors who have made possible for it to be the longest running live casino gaming format show in the USA. And special thanks to CLYDE CALLICOTT whose contributions to the show during most of that time were immeasurable.

The ISLE of CAPRI in Lula has just opened a high stakes gaming area that encompasses table games and slots with denoms up to $100.00 and fitted out with a lounge area, private bar and a personalized host staff. It's called THE MEZZ. The casino is also hosting a $50,000 BEAT THE HEAT BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT on August 8-9. There is a $250 buy-in. Call 800-789-5825 for more info.

NANCY ZIOLKOWSKI, one of the best casino marketing directors ever to come through Tunica County, is now in charge of the Las Vegas office of the ERICSON GROUP of Memphis, a leading supplier of promotional materials to casinos everywhere. The group also produces live casino entertainment. Nancy helped open the first Harrah's here. Hat's off to SAM'S TOWN for putting on its monthly Saturday Night Fight Series, which are entertaining and sell out. Now the casino is moving up in weight class.

Sam's Town will hook up with ESPN for a championship fight card on July 26 when super welterweight J.C. CANDELO (25-5-3, 17 KOs) takes on challenger JULIO GARCIA(25-1-2, 11 KOs) in an NABF 154-pound title match. The North American Boxing Federation fight will be a 12 rounder. In a co-featured bout, ART SIMONYAN (12-0-1, 7 KOs) will challenge for the vacant United States Boxing Association Jr. featherweight title against an opponent to be named. Tickets will be available at Sam's Town box office (800-456-0711) or Ticketmaster outlets.

Closer in time is the 4th ANNUAL DELTA RIVER CRUISIN' event staged by Sam's Town and MEMPHIS STREET RODS on July 11-13. You can view up close a wide array of pre-1972 vehicles including street rods, trucks, customs, antiques, classics and more on the property's parking lot. There will also be cash drawings for over $10,000.

LOCAL fight promoter BRIAN YOUNG tells us that he thinks Tunica will edge out Cleveland for the 2004 Olympic Boxing Trials. He said a decision will be forthcoming soon. GOLD STRIKES' first major blackjack tournament was won by EUGENE HORTON of Marshall, Ark. He took home a cool $50,000.

I can't remember if and when there ever was a bigger money craps tournament in any Tunica casino than the one GOLD STRIKE will run August 15-17. A total of $50,000 in prize money and a guaranteed first prize of $25,000 make this one exciting. Only 144 players can enter so don't wait. If you register and pay before August 4 the buy-in is reduced from $500 to $450.

It nice to see the increased security in Tunica...did you see the Sheriff's cars now parked outside each casino? JOHN MICHAEL SISINNI...remember that name. The 11-year-old golfer just won the Mississippi state championship in his age category and will represent the state in the US Kids World Championship. He had a little help...JOHN DALY'S caddy toted the bag for little John, son of JOHN SISINNI, VP at Horseshoe.

More on our ongoing DEALER GRIPES..."Taking shots at the dealer, trying to talk dealers into making mistakes, over-pays, and deal extra hands." More later.

Live in Southaven area and like good pizza?...try out PEPPERONI'S PIZZERIA on Church Rd., just west of the DeSoto Center. GE0RGE "MAV" puts out a good pie!

FROM THE QUOTABLE GAMBLER...The Lyons Press: "If you win, and you're not excited,then you haven't won at all." John Gollehon...A Gambler's Little Instruction Book (1994)

LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER.