Mississippi casinos balk at proposed security measures

Matt Volz

Thursday, April 10, 2003 | 9:45 a.m.

JACKSON, Miss. -- Casino operators are trying to steer federal homeland security regulations in the works for waterways and seaports so the measures won't hurt business.

The Maritime Transportation Security Act passed by Congress last year provides that maritime security plans be developed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Coast Guard spokesman John McCool said the measures were still in the planning phase. They are expected to drafted by the summer and finalized by next year.

Casinos are concerned the process could result in some business-threatening measures, such as passenger screenings, identification checks, metal detectors and random searches, among others.

The American Gaming Association recently answered the Coast Guard's call for public comment with a document signed by 95 operators from eight national and state industry associations.

Some of the areas the Coast Guard is exploring could yield some "very restrictive security measures that would have a trying effect on the industry," said Mississippi Gaming Association Executive Director Andy Boyland.

Twenty-seven Mississippi casinos signed the AGA document. Because they are permanently moored, the Mississippi casinos would probably not be affected by the measures, but they are backing the AGA on principle, Boyland said.

The regulations would affect casinos in Louisiana, Indiana, Iowa and Illinois, said Judy Patterson, AGA senior vice president and executive director.

The AGA says the gaming industry regulations already require that floating gambling halls employ some of the best security and surveillance practices available.

"We have some of the most secure vessels of any in the maritime industry," Patterson said.

Additional security measures could be cumbersome to the casinos, the AGA report says.

Passenger identification checks, for example, would cause delays, create lines and deter large numbers from entering, resulting in "lost revenue to the vessel owner, lost taxes to the relevant government authorities and lost revenues to the local communities," the report said.

Land-based casinos, like those in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, have maintained stricter security since the Sept. 11 terrorism.