NATCHEZ — With gaming revenues down statewide, Magnolia Bluffs Casino officials reported Thursday it doesn’t project any losses for Natchez’s gaming industry in 2016.

Magnolia Bluffs Casino President Kevin Preston gave his semi-annual report to four Natchez aldermen, Assistant City Clerk Wendy McClain and City Attorney Hyde Carby at a dinner meeting at the Roth Hill Road casino.

As of Aug. 31, the casino’s annual payroll totals $4.18 million, Preston said. At the end of 2014, according to Preston’s report, the casino’s payroll was $6.01 million.

Also as of Aug. 31, the casino has paid the city $453,012 in taxes. At the end of 2014, that number was $589,875 for the full year.

Preston said most casinos along the Mississippi River have reported losses recently, but coastal casinos are doing well financially.

“I would budget as if the (local gaming industry) numbers won’t lower,” Preston said.

Preston said he projects numbers to rise across the board with Natchez’s 300th birthday approaching in 2016 — the city’s tricentennial year.

“When you have a quality product and an attractive price point, that attracts gamers,” Preston said. “The main story here is: We are going to continue to be successful.”

For 2016, Magnolia Bluffs Director of Finance Debbie Salter said the casino is projecting the casino to generate approximately $35 million in total revenue.

Preston reported the casino has 234 employees as of Aug. 31.

Of those employees, 207 live in Mississippi and 27 in Louisiana.

Of the Mississippi employees, 158 are Natchez residents.

“We try to be the best business we can possibly be and do as much as we can locally,” Preston said.

Magnolia Bluffs will become Natchez’s only casino when Isle of Capri Casinos Natchez closes its doors next month.

The Isle agreed to sell its hotel assets to Casino Holding Investment Partners, the parent company of Magnolia Bluffs Casino.

One of those assets included the Isle of Capri Hotel on South Canal Street.

Preston said with the Isle of Capri closing its Silver Street casino, he doesn’t expect Natchez’s gaming industry to suffer.

“I think it’s already been proven that this is a one-casino town,” Preston said. “It just doesn’t make sense to have two.”

Preston said the casino would absorb approximately 25 to 30 employees from the Isle of Capri.

“It’s disappointing the Isle is going away, but we will be able to recover some of those jobs,” he said. “We have our eyes on a few people right now. It could be more than 30 — we don’t know yet.”

Preston also updated city officials about the casino’s plan to renovate the Isle of Capri Hotel, which will take its last reservation Oct. 17.

Preston said the hotel would be closed for two weeks, and then Magnolia Bluffs would renovate the hotel floor by floor.

“Our price points (for rooms) will be competitive with what’s already in town,” Preston said, adding that the hotel would be completely renovated before 2016 and boast 141 available rooms.

Changes Preston said Magnolia Bluffs plans to make to Isle of Capri include opening a sports bar, reopening the hotel pool and possibly adding a 24-hour restaurant.

“We plan on putting a lot more money into that space,” he said.

In an effort to advertise the casino and hotel more, Preston said he is also considering installing a lighted sign on the casino’s exterior that would be visible from the Mississippi River Bridge.

“We get to pick up the Isle’s billboards all over town, too,” he said. “That will help us out a lot.”

Ward 6 Alderman Dan Dillard said he was pleased with Preston’s report, and he hopes to see Natchez’s gaming industry grow.

“You must be doing something right, because you’re definitely holding down your market,” Dillard said to Preston.

Ward 4 Alderman Tony Fields agreed with Dillard.

“Offering more slots, table games and what you’re doing with the hotel — that will all be great,” Fields said. “You all are doing great things all the time. Just don’t get complacent — I think that’s been the trend, but I don’t think you all will be like that.”

Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis said 2016 should be a pivotal year for Magnolia Bluffs — and she encouraged other local businesses to follow the casino’s lead with expansions.

“I really feel like you’re ahead of the game, and I hope the rest of the city catches up,” she said.

Ward 2 Alderman Rickey Gray was also in attendance.