Gaming briefs for August 2, 2004

Monday, Aug. 2, 2004 | 10:54 a.m.

Biloxi City Council approves plan for casino basin

BILOXI, Miss. -- The Biloxi City Council has approved the proposed construction of a man-made basin for a speculative casino venture.

Back Bay Investments wants to create a casino site on uplands on the north side of Back Bay Boulevard. A similar project on the same property received approvals from the city and the Mississippi Gaming Commission 10 years ago but never went forward.

The proposal still needs approval from the secretary of state and the Gaming Commission.

The council action last week approves the first phase of the development, which is limited to the basin. The developers will have to come back for second-phase approval when they are able to go forward with a casino.

Increased funding allows gambling program to expand

BURLINGTON, Vt. -- An increase in funding from the Legislature will allow the Vermont Council on Problem Gambling to offer face-to-face counseling for the first time in its eight-year history.

The Legislature doubled funding for the council to $90,000 this year, allowing founder Joy Mitchell to set up a counseling office in Bellows Falls to serve southern Vermont and hire Joel Rosinsky to offer part-time counseling from an office in Burlington.

The pair expect to see plenty of clients. Mitchell told lawmakers this spring that calls to the gambling help line she staffs jumped from 30 a month to more than 80 a month during the last year.