WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Gulf Coast Casinos Stay Open For Now

Gulf Coast Casinos Stay Open For Now

At the Palace Casino, employees prepared for Isidore's potential visit. Cabana television sets had to be unhooked and moved indoors. Deck chairs from the resort's pool area were also carried to storage facilities. The Palace had a lot to do, if it wanted to safely ride out Isidore. "A lot of breakdown of the pool area. Housekeeping is going room to room, making sure all the rooms are set. As far as closing the casino, that's a big security issue with the money and all the people going in and out of the final counts and stuff. It's been a day," casino employee Danny Henderson said.

Across Highway 90, Isle of Capri workers took down the colorful banners that decorated light poles. The resort didn't want tropical weather to rip apart its signs. "We think we're definitely going to feel some effects from it. But we hope it isn't a direct hit, obviously," casino executive Bill Kilduff said.

At the Harrison county civil defense office, state gaming commission agents monitored the storm. Throughout the day Tuesday, they contacted every coast casino, and told them to prepare for whatever Isidore may bring to the area. Dave Kingman with the Mississippi Gaming Commission said, ""the casinos have been briefed on the current conditions, where the storm is currently located, it's projected path. They've been instructed to implement their internal procedures in preparation for the possible order to close." If that order comes, casino executives said they'll be ready. "Casinos are in the business to make a profit. But our main concern is safety of our guests and our employees. So we've always voluntarily cooperated with any evacuation," Kilduff said.

The last time the casinos had to temporarily close was in 1998 when Hurricane Georges came ashore. In that storm, Grand Casino Biloxi suffered the most extensive damage. It took 21 days to repair its roof and get the Grand reopened.