Not A Jackpot Year For Casinos

Regulators say Mississippi casinos lost about 2,300 jobs in the first 11 months of 2008.

By: Christian Stapleton | WKRG-TV
Published: January 07, 2009

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JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Regulators say Mississippi casinos lost
about 2,300 jobs in the first 11 months of 2008.
Larry Gregory, executive director of the Mississippi Gaming
Commission, says commission records showed 25,200 workers at the
end of November, compared to 27,500 a year earlier.
If restaurant and hotel workers were included, the figure would
be more than 32,000, officials say.
Gregory said gaming revenue decreased about 5.5 percent over the
same period.
Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg has laid off 50 employees in
recent months. Beau Rivage in Biloxi also had laid off workers but
would not say how many.
Gregory said the commission has approved five casino projects,
however, given the economy, none of the projects has moved forward.