May 18, 2011
Driven by an unwavering commitment to the employees, residents and visitors
of the Mid-South region, MGM Resorts International's Gold Strike Casino Resort
Tunica will reopen its doors for business today - just two weeks after rising
Mississippi River floodwaters forced a mandatory closure of all Tunica County's
nine casinos. The Mississippi River reached its crest on May 10, 2011 at 47.8
feet, the second highest reading on record, surpassed only by the 48.7-foot
crest in February 1937. Gold Strike successfully prevented Mississippi River
water from entering the resort and the recently-renovated facility remains like
new, due in large part to the deployment of state-of-the-art technology and
dedication of its 1,400 team members; 150 employees from its Biloxi sister
property Beau Rivage; Mississippi Gaming Commission, Governor Barbour, local
government and elected officials, and tremendous vendor partners including W.G.
Yates and Sons Construction, JESCO, Gephart Electrical, Hydrological Solutions,
AT&T, Reigstad and Associates, Johnson Controls, Wilson Welding, Williams
Equipment, Oil Field Marine, Inland Salvage Inc., CDM, Tunica County Utility
District - RiverBend of Mississippi Inc. and Entergy among others.
"We're anxious to open our doors for our customers and to get our employees back
to work," said George P. Corchis, Jr., president and COO of MGM Resorts
International Regional Operations. "Our initial priority was the safety of our
employees and guests. Once secure, our focus turned to mitigation efforts and
asset protection. Now comes the exciting part, where we get to bring our
incredible employees back to reopen the property and re-ignite tourism to the
region."
In addition to employing more than 1,400 team members, the reopening of the
1,200-room Gold Strike will have an immediate, positive impact on the local
economy while simultaneously fueling Mississippi tourism - the second largest
industry in the state. Besides revenue generated from hotel room tax receipts,
food & beverage, entertainment and retail taxes, Tunica's nine casinos average
$90 million in gross gaming revenue each May. Closing the casinos for the month
could lead to a $10 million loss in gaming tax revenue to the state and local
governments, not to mention payroll taxes for 9,300 casino employees. The ripple
effect impacts all businesses from gas stations to local shops that support the
tourism economy.
Supporting Gold Strike employees has been the top priority for MGM Resorts. The
company has a long-standing practice of supporting its employees in times of
emergency and natural disaster and Gold Strike employees have been guaranteed
full pay and benefits including tips, throughout the closure. For employees who
live in flooded areas, MGM Resorts is helping facilitate access to company
emergency relief funds and federal assistance that can help families through
this difficult time. The employee health clinic, located across the levee from
the resort, has remained open during the shutdown and human resource
representatives are onsite seven days a week. In addition, a temporary dining
facility, known as the "Levee Cafe," has been open 24/7 for employees, emergency
management and other government officials, first responders, gaming industry
employees and anyone else interested in a free hot meal during the resort's
temporary closure. The long-standing partnership between MGM Resorts and the
American Red Cross was further strengthened with the training of more than 50
Gold Strike employee volunteers in damage assessment and shelter operations for
mobilization as this historic event unfolded.
MGM Resorts International used large-scale Aqua-Barrier® and Army Corps of
Engineers-certified HESCO® baskets to safeguard Gold Strike from the Mississippi
River. Thirty five hundred linear feet of the 8 ft. high x 100 ft. long
Aqua-Barriers - each filled with 90,000 gallons of rising floodwater- were used
to successfully envelop the entire circumference of the main structure and
outbuildings. HESCO baskets - wire mesh nets filled with gravel and
interconnected like blocks - covered 2,000 linear feet and formed an additional
line of defense around the facility. More than 40,000 sandbags were filled for
added protection. These technologies essentially created a mile-long manmade
levee system around the 1.4 million sq. ft. resort. Four mooring columns that
support the barge structure were also extended by 5 ft. in height to help
support expected water level increases.
At 32-stories high, Gold Strike's iconic gold windowpane tower is the tallest
building in the Mississippi Delta and a Tunica landmark. MGM Resorts has played
a significant role in Tunica's tourism revitalization with its recent
multimillion-dollar property transformation and is committed in its efforts to
rebuild and renew the region after this historic flood. "Beyond supporting the
livelihood of our employees and their families," said Gold Strike General
Manager George Goldhoff, "Gaming will fuel economic development in the region,
spurring tax income and capital investments to benefit the industry's employees,
the local community and the entire state. Everyone at MGM Resorts is extremely
optimistic about Tunica's tourism and the gaming industry. We're back and
committed to play an integral role in the area's success."
Return to Mississippi Casinos.
SPORTSBOOK
Live Betting, Racebook
CASINO
Blackjack, Table Games, Slots
Video Poker, Live Dealers
Tournaments, Promotions
Disclaimer: All images are copyright to their respective owners and are used by 500 Nations for informational purposes only.
500 Nations is an independent directory and information service free of any gaming operator's control and not affiliated with any casino.
Warning: You must ensure you meet all age and other regulatory requirements before entering a casino or placing a wager.
There are hundreds of jurisdictions in the world with Internet access and hundreds of different games and gambling opportunities available on the Internet.
Do not assume that Internet gaming sites are in compliance with the rules and regulations of every jurisdiction from which they accept players.
YOU are responsible for determining if it is legal for YOU to play any particular game or place any particular wager under the laws of the jurisdiction where you are located.