Avelez Hotel in Biloxi, built in the late 1920s, was one of many hotels on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that offered gambling activities. Located on Howard Street, room rates were $1.50 to $5.00, with tub or shower. It was demolished in the 1950s. Postcard courtesy Deanne Nuwer.

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In early 20th century, The White House Hotel in Biloxi offered slot machines for its guest, along with dancing and golfing. Today, in early 21st century, it awaits renovation. Postcard courtesy Deanne Nuwer.

Postcard showing the entrance to the Buena Vista Hotel in Biloxi. The hotel was damaged by fire and then neglect before it was ultimately demolished. Its site is now a parking lot for the Beau Rivage Casino. Postcard courtesy Deanne Nuwer.

Out for a night in Biloxi. Gambler Bob Thompson, center, in the lobby of the Avelez Hotel cashing in his winning bet against Salvatore Joseph Sicuro. The winner got to kiss Sicuro’s wife, Josephine Louise Sicuro, left. Sicuro, rear, had his lounge business in the Avelez Hotel. Circa 1946 photograph courtesy Claude Sicuro.

The first two boats opened on the Gulf Coast in 1992. But three years later, the rules had been changed, and there were nine casinos in Tunica County with no resemblance to a riverboat,. A Tunica casino will be the first MGM Resorts International property in the U.S. To reopen under limited capacity after being closed due to COVID-19. Gold Strike Casino Resort is slated to open.

Out for a night in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Gamblers in a juke joint. November 1939 photograph by Marion Post Wolcott. Courtesy Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Call No: LC-USF34-052487-D

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The Broadwater Beach Hotel was built in 1938 specifically to cater to out-of-state and Mississippi gamblers. Damaged by Hurricane Camille, the hotel was restored and still exists. Postcard courtesy Deanne Nuwer.

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Horseshoe Tunica has been the market leader in gaming and entertainment since opening on February 13, 1995. The casino known nationwide as the place where real gamblers come to gamble features state-of-the-art technology, luxurious furnishings and contains over 1,380 slot and video poker games, the widest variety of table games in the region. The Gold Strike Casino Resort opened back in 1994 and is a property of MGM Resort International, similar to the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino (See my trip report on that property here). This property has 1,100 oversized rooms that include 125 suites, a 50,000 sq. Casino, and a conference and convention center. Mississippi casinos can reopen Thursday morning, the first chance to do so after being closed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hollywood Casino and First Jackpot Casino Tunica.

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Gamblers in the lobby of the Tivoli Hotel on the Gulf Coast. Late 1940s photograph courtesy Deanne Nuwer.