Biloxi’s Margaritaville Casino Finds a New Owner
The once-thriving Margaritaville Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, which has remained vacant for nearly a decade, has been sold this week,
The establishment, which overlooks Biloxi’s picturesque Back Bay, will not be resurrected as a casino. However, it will undergo a transformation under its new ownership. The buyer is identified as MIC, a company with roots in Michigan and Las Vegas, owned by strip club entrepreneur Harry Mohney.
The millionaire investor plans to turn the empty former casino into an entertainment district with various activity spaces, bars, and restaurants, including Cat’s Meow karaoke and a Dick’s Last Resort eatery.
A sale price was not revealed. But the property was formerly listed with a $4.9 million sales tag, according to local outlet The Advocate.
Related: The best online casinos in Mississippi, rated and reviewed
A New Vision for the Waterfront Property
Mohney has ambitious plans for the former casino site. Attorney Britt Singletary, who represented MIC in the transaction, revealed that the Biloxi property is set to house 11 distinct venues. These will encompass a range of bars, restaurants, and live music settings.
Additionally, visitors can look forward to engaging in activities like axe throwing and renting outdoor equipment, such as jet skis.
One of the anticipated highlights is the Cat’s Meow Karaoke bar, drawing inspiration from its renowned counterpart in the French Quarter and other locations like Las Vegas, Orange Beach, and Nashville, Tennessee. Other expected additions include a branch of the Hammerheads seafood restaurant and a boxing and combat sports arena.
However, those hoping for the return of casino gaming will be disappointed. Singletary confirmed that a casino is not part of the new development plans.
A Fresh Start After Years of Dormancy
Margaritaville Casino had its grand opening in May 2012, graced by a performance from country music icon and Mississippi local, Jimmy Buffet.
The venue featured more than 800 slot machines and 15 table games, as well as restaurants and other amenities.
However, its doors closed in September 2014, a mere two years after its inauguration. The casino’s off-the-beaten-path location on Fifth Street, a fair distance from Beach Boulevard, posed challenges in attracting and retaining patrons. The operators also had a long-running dispute with the landlord over its attempts to add a hotel resort to the property.
In the years that followed the Margaritaville Casinos closure, various development proposals surfaced.
In 2019, there was talk of expanding the property into the Biloxi House Casino. Later, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of Rock Band KISS showed interest in the site, envisioning a $200 million new venue for their Rock & Brews casino and restaurant chain.
They even scheduled a ceremonial groundbreaking in March 2020, coinciding with a KISS performance at the Coast Coliseum in Biloxi. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of both events.
With the recent sale, the property is poised to shed its past and embrace a new identity. The developers are optimistic about completing the transformation within the next 12 months, signaling a revival for the long-dormant waterfront site.
The venue is not to be confused with The Margaritaville Resort Biloxi, which is a separate 373-room nongaming hotel that opened in 2016.
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