Massachusetts nixes casino proposal

A proposal from Gov. Duval Patrick that would have cleared the way for three destination casinos in Massachusetts was voted down by the legislature last week. Industry heavyweights such as Harrahs, Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts had expressed interest in operating casino resorts in the state. But, the state's House of Representatives turned down any commercial gambling by an overwhelming margin. However, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, located in Massachusetts, could still move ahead with gaming on their tribal lands.

Meanwhile, in Kentucky, a special subcommittee in that state's legislature has recommended a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow nine casinos to be licensed in Kentucky. Free standing casinos would require voter referendums in the cities or counties where they would be located, similar to the way gaming was introduced in Kansas and Iowa. The continuing interest in gambling expansion does make one wonder whether the market for gaming will ever reach a saturation point.

Navajo Nation plans to open a casino

The Navajo Nation that extends for 27,000 square miles in Utah, Arzona and New Mexico, is set to enter the gambling business. It plans to open its first casino in Church Rock, New Mexico later this year. Church Rock is located north of Interstate 40 at the Arizona state line. Tribal officials announced that construction will begin next month. It will be a small casino with 400 slots & 7 tables. At this point, it appears the parking lot is designed to accomodate cars only. The tribe indicated that 18-wheelers would be prohibited...but has not yet indicated whether it will be RV-Friendly.

The Window Rock location is the first of six casinos being planned by the Navajo Nation -- 2 in New Mexico and 4 in Arizona. A future Navajo casino near Flagstaff, AZ is expected to include an RV Park.

The entrance of the Navajos (the largest Indian Nation in the country) into the gaming business comes after many years of resistence from some of its members. Ancient Navajo legends condemn gambling and modern Navajos have expressed fears that gambling could spread addictions throughout the community. However, current tribal leaders say the casinos are necessary to help the Navajo economy.

Casino Hopper in Biloxi

NEW BUS SERVICE: Casino hopping in Biloxi, MS has gotten easier now that the ATA Casino Hopper bus service is available. The bus runs seven days a week -- 5:20AM to 9:40PM on weekdays and 5:30AM to 1:40AM on weekends. The bus arrives every 15 minutes and circulates to the casinos along US-90 and the Back Bay. The fare is just $1. Look for the bus with the green frog painted on the side.

BILOXI COMIN' ON STRONG: Biloxi casinos, now almost completely rebuilt following Hurricane Katrina, continue to grow. They are having a strong first quarter thanks in part to snow birds. Parking for RVs at the Biloxi casinos on US-90 remains scarce due to some continuing construction and just plain lack of space. The new casinos and their huge parking garages have taken a lot of the former surface parking areas. However, the three casinos in the Back Bay area have ample space for RV parking and free overnight is OK, even though casinos on US-90 have severely limited surface parking. Several campgrounds in Biloxi are also now open for business and they are just a short drive from the casino areas.

GULFPORT, MS: The Gulfside town of Gulport, that had two casinos prior to Katrina, now has a single spectacular casino, the Island View Casino Resort. It's well worth a drive into Gulfport to visit the new casino. RVers will find a friendly welcome for dry camping in the lot east of the casino. Famed Chef Emeril Lagasse brings his extraordinary culinary skills to Emeril's Gulf Coast Fish House, now open at the Island View.

New casino opens today

GRAND OPENING IN OKLAHOMA: The First Council Casino holds its grand opening today Friday, March 7th) in Newkirk, Oklahoma. The new casino is located on US-77, just 2 miles south of Arkansas City (at the KS/OK state line.) The property includes a travel plaza where RVs can park. The new casino has 900 slots, live blackjack, a poker room and a buffet restaurant.

Casino expansion in California

NuWu Casino: An Environmental Assessment report on a proposed casino and RV Park development in Twenty-Nine Palms, CA will be released to the public next Monday. The new KOA RV Park will be located adjacent to the NuWu Casino on tribal land in a beautiful high desert location where spectacular star-gazing is popular. The RV Park will include 100 RV, tent and cabin sites along with hiking trails. The 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians is planning a 2009 opening for the casino and RV Park.

Foothills Oaks Casino: Owned by the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Foothill Oaks Casino is expected to open later this year. Currently under construction, the 88,000 square-foot gaming facility is located in Eldorado County, east of Sacramento.