Kevin Hunter: Tupelo, Other Areas Celebrate 20 Years of Mississippi Gaming
The community of Biloxi, Mississippi is celebrating the 20 year anniversary of the state's first dockside casino, the Isle of Capri. Kevin Hunter of Tupelo discusses the many benefits this industry has brought to the area.
NEW YORK, NY, August 13, 2012
Gambling is an activity that has sparked excitement in people for generations, but for Mississippi that industry is only 20 years old. Despite that relatively short amount of time, the state's dockside gaming laws have created a thriving economy and contributed to many public resources. A recent CBS News article reflects on Isle of Capri, the first riverboat casino to open in Mississippi, and showcases the many benefits the market has produced for the area. Currently involved in Mississippi's gaming market, Kevin Hunter of Tupelo, projects what the future holds for casinos and the communities that host them.Although the Isle of Capri remains open today, the article notes that the free market industry has presented a few riverboat casinos with challenges that prevent profit. The Biloxi Belle was another casino that opened days after Isle of Capri welcomed gamblers, however shortly before 2005, that facility closed. In addition to those competitive struggles, Hurricane Katrina brought another wave of destruction to the industry in 2005. The article explains the fate of one casino, the Silver Slipper, "The fury of Katrina sent that casino barge out of the water and into a hotel adjacent to the Mississippi Coast Coliseum."
Despite those setbacks, Kevin Hunter has indicated that the market offers a lot of promise and room for growth. Instead of focusing on the past obstacles, he chooses to highlight the many advantages Mississippi's gaming business offers. He explains, "Our now tenured Mississippi casino industry has helped overall toward positive results and economic momentum throughout the state, including indirect results in communities without gaming, such as Tupelo, Southaven and Hattiesburg."
As Kevin Hunter of Tupelo continues to work on casino expansion projects in the area, many residents anticipate the employment opportunities these businesses have. According to the article, in addition to the jobs these businesses create "the taxes paid by casinos have bolstered public safety and the city's school district." Since the opening of Isle of Capri, South Mississippi's casino market has grossed over $19B. In light of recent developments, Kevin Hunter expects those numbers to grow.
One such improvement involves a response to the weather damage of Katrina; for nearly seven years lawmakers have permitted casino construction 800 feet inland of the water. In addition, riverboat casinos have evolved into fully-functional floating buildings, giving businesses more opportunity to grow and generate cash flow.
ABOUT:
Kevin Hunter of Tupelo is an experienced business executive who has worked in several industries. He has vast experience working in sales, telecom, automotive, marketing and leadership positions. Today, he is the CEO of Riverton Tunica, LLC, an investment company specializing in the expansion of gaming markets within the Tunica, Mississippi area. As a graduate of the University of Mississippi, he has become very familiar with several industries within the area. He has worked with small and larger companies, including those in the commercial insurance sector, arena football and advertising.
Website: http://kevinhuntertupelo.com