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LAUREN WOOD | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — Judy Nelson tries her luck on the Yahtzee slot machine Tuesday evening during the opening day of the Magnolia Bluffs Casino.

The wait is over: Casino opens to long line of customers

Published 12:04am Wednesday, December 19, 2012

 

NATCHEZ — Magnolia Bluffs Casino had a full house Tuesday as it opened its doors for business for the first time.

LAUREN WOOD | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — Natchez Mayor Butch Brown throws the die as he plays the first game of craps Tuesday evening, the opening day, at Magnolia Bluffs Casino.

A crowd of local officials, business people and patrons crowded outside the entrance to see Casino President Kevin Preston cut a gold ribbon to officially open the casino.

The casino’s opening has been a long time coming, Preston said.

“I want to thank those of you who have supported us through this process,” he said. “It’s been one of those things that today you can believe it’s really happening.”

Mayor Butch Brown rolled the first pair of dice on one of the casino’s craps table. Brown said he was impressed by the casino’s design, décor and staff.

“I have to give a tip of the hat to the people who built it,” he said. “It seems very pretty and functional.”

Hundreds of patrons lined up for hours, some since 9 a.m., outside the casino to try their hand at the games in Natchez’s second casino.

Several patrons said they came to the casino before it opened to get in line for the casino’s opening day promotion. Magnolia Bluffs offered free play and free T-shirts to patrons while supplies lasted.

The casino opened at 2 p.m. for a tour for invited guests. The casino was scheduled to open at 4 p.m., but the Mississippi Gaming Commission did not finish testing slot machines until 5 p.m. At 5:20, 556 people had entered the casino.

LAUREN WOOD | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — People line up around the building as they wait Tuesday evening for the opening of the Magnolia Bluffs Casino. The casino was scheduled to open to the public at 4 p.m., but opened at 5 p.m. after the Mississippi Gaming Commission finished testing slot machines.

Lucinda Johnson and Esther Williams drove from Alexandria for the casino’s opening.

“We just really wanted to see the new casino,” Johnson said.

Johnson and Williams said they also frequent the Isle of Capri Casino and said they are happy there is now another casino.

Velma Stines and Bobbie Bland drove up from Woodville. Bland said she thinks a second casino will be good for the community and casino patrons.

“We need the competition,” she said.

Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, in whose ward the casino sits, said she was pleased about what the casino means to the local economy and workforce.

“It’s not just people from Natchez who are getting jobs,” she said. “I talked to a woman from Fayette who works here and another from

LAUREN WOOD | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — Magnolia Bluffs Casino President Kevin Preston cuts the ribbon for the opening of the casino Tuesday afternoon with other casino and city officials.

Vicksburg who is from Natchez and coming back to work at the casino,” she said.

The 45,000-square-foot casino has 580 slot machines, 10 table games, a center bar with 27 poker games, a player’s club, Cypress Mill, which is an Italian steakhouse, a lounge named 180 Lounge and a buffet named Bandsaw Buffet.

An outdoor deck wraps around the sides and back of the casino and features a seating area and a fire pit.

Magnolia Bluffs is open 24 hours, and no one under the age of 21 is allowed in the casino.

The casino will host a grand opening ceremony with entertainment Jan. 17.

 

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  • Anonymous

    Too bad the ND didn’t publish the picture of Butch rolling the first pair of dice at Lady Luck.

  • Anonymous

    Looking at the picture of the three patrons why am I not surprised?

  • KDR

    Quite disappointing that no one advised the PUBLIC, via the television news (no information at all), newspaper (only stated Tuesday as the opening date), nor the casino website (countdown ticker advising it opened at midnight on Monday). How could you not get the word out to the folks who will support your business — that you weren’t opening until 4pm? We had family make a 2hr drive just to be turned away at 11am. Lousy business decisions like that mean we certainly won’t be back.

  • Anonymous

    As a lifelong resident of Natchez, please accept my apology. I’m not associated with the casino and I know you are upset and mad. Please give Natchez another chance and come back. Opening day of ANYTHING never goes according to Hoyle. Merry Christmas.

  • Anonymous

    Come on; that’s quite enough. There were PLENTY of white people there too. Blame the photographer. By the way. I’m white.:) Merry Christmas.

  • Benard

    I noticed the three patrons, the only thing they have in common is that they are ALL women. Two black and one white. Are you saying women gamble more than men? Very cretinous comment.

  • http://www.natchezdemocrat.com khakirat

    So glad to see things happening in Natchez for remember when Lady Luck first came in Natchez was a 24 hour town!! Come on Adams county lets get the industry, small business, trucking, port, airport, and all good business going again!! To all a Merry Christmas!!!

  • Anonymous

    The picture indicates the casino is basically in a warehouse.

  • Anonymous

    The opening time was stated in at least one Democrat article. It stated business and political leaders would enter at 2 PM and the general public would be able to come in at 4 PM. If you didn’t research your trip and read the Democrat online articles in the few days before the opening, that’s your fault. I doubt you had much to spend anyway.

  • Anonymous

    In Vegas, this would be call a “sawdust” joint.

  • Anonymous

    I SAY TO THE PATRONS, ENJOY YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLIEST AS LONE AS IT’S NOT BREAKING THE LAW. I SAY TO THE ONES THAT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WHAT OTHERS DO, GET A LIFE. WE ARE ONLY HERE FOR SO LONG, SO MAKE THE BEST OUT OF IT. I’LL BE GETTING WITH BROWN LATER ON TO PICK UP A FEW POINTERS ON THAT CRAP TABLE.

  • vilou09

    LOL.

  • Anonymous

    Giving away the car note and light bill ….great economy booster.

  • Anonymous

    It is hideous looking.

  • Anonymous

    He’ll be sleeping on a stool over by the slots when you start looking for him.

  • Anonymous

    Within a year, you can look for at least one restaurant in the building to close – probably the more expensive one.

  • Anonymous

    ya know… this just makes me SICK. just what Natchez needs… another casino. to take the money that people should be using to support their familes, buy groceries, pay for housing etc. and the new jobs? probably at or near minimum wage.. and no retirement plans or 401k options. another reason why I was glad to have to leave the Miss Lou. there IS life after Natchez. sorry folks… just my opinion

  • Anonymous

    LMAO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dang, LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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