Natchez in discussions to build new casinos

Thursday, May 25, 2000 | 9:51 a.m.

And at least one industry analyst says Natchez, and Adams County, would benefit from it.

"There's no question in my mind that the market could improve its revenue," said Larry Pearson, a gaming columnist and president of Pearson Publishing, which publishes gaming magazines.

Both the City of Natchez and Adams County have been in discussions with possible casino developers, but no definite plans have evolved.

Virginia Salmon, president of the Adams County Board of Supervisors, said this week that the county has been negotiating with CSL Development Corp.

The Southern Stars Casino backer was interested in building a dockside casino at the mouth of St. Catherine Creek, near the Belwood Country Club property.

Salmon said the county is waiting for a reply to a letter the county sent to the corporation.

Mayor Larry L. "Butch" Brown would only say that there is still "one company interested" in building a casino at the base of Roth Hill Road in Natchez.

Biloxi-based Isle of Capri bought Lady Luck's dockside casino in Natchez earlier this year, and a grand opening of the newly named casino is planned for June 30-July 4.

"In the Natchez area, the market has been fairly constant, at $3 (million) or $4 million a month," Pearson said. "When Isle of Capri takes over that might get that (revenue) up.

"The market would benefit from a larger casino."

Isle of Capri spokeswoman Lori Hutzler said the Natchez casino, like others Isle bought from Lady Luck, is in the midst of a "cosmetic transition."

"We're slowly phasing in the 'Isle-style' of decor and marketing," Hutzler said. "There is always potential (for expansion), but right now we're focused on creating an Isle of Capri out of a Lady Luck."

Pearson said a second casino could help the market, but "you might get a cut-each-other's-throat situation."