Biloxi Planning Commission Clears Path for Black Marlin Casino Project

The Biloxi Planning Commission delivered a unanimous vote in early September 2026 that moves the Black Marlin Casino project forward, approving rezoning for three parcels along with a master plan and related site requests; this decision covers the proposed development by RW Development at the intersection of US 90/Beach Boulevard and Veterans Avenue in Biloxi, Mississippi. The plan incorporates removal of protected trees under a mitigation framework while outlining construction of a 43,800-square-foot casino building that will house 1,100 slot machines, 24 table games, and a sportsbook. A 300-room hotel rounds out the core facilities, and the project includes a $1 million handicap-accessible Veterans Avenue Pier as part of the overall site improvements.

Project Components and Site Specifications

The casino floor spans 43,800 square feet and features 1,100 slots alongside 24 table games plus a dedicated sportsbook area, while the adjacent 300-room hotel provides lodging directly connected to the gaming and entertainment spaces. The $1 million Veterans Avenue Pier receives handicap-accessible upgrades that tie into broader public access improvements at the waterfront location. Rezoning of the three parcels enables the mixed-use layout, and the master plan coordinates traffic flow, parking, and landscaping around the US 90 and Veterans Avenue site.

Protected tree removal forms one element of the approved requests, handled through required mitigation measures that replace or offset the affected vegetation elsewhere on or near the property. Observers note that such mitigation steps align with standard local environmental guidelines for coastal developments in the Biloxi area. The overall footprint positions the casino and hotel between major thoroughfares, creating direct access from both Beach Boulevard and Veterans Avenue.

Approval Process Details

The commission reviewed the full package of rezoning, master plan, and tree mitigation requests during its September 2026 meeting and granted unanimous approval after examining compliance with city zoning codes and development standards. This vote represents the first formal regulatory step for the Black Marlin Casino, which RW Development has advanced through preliminary planning stages. Documentation submitted to the commission outlined traffic studies, environmental assessments, and architectural renderings that support the proposed layout.

City records indicate the project now requires further review by the Biloxi City Council, which holds authority over final zoning changes and permitting. Following council action, the Mississippi Gaming Commission will evaluate licensing and operational compliance under state gaming regulations before any construction permits can be issued. The sequence keeps the project on track to become Biloxi’s ninth casino if all remaining approvals are secured.

Regulatory Path Ahead

Next steps place the application before the city council for rezoning ratification and related permits, after which the Mississippi Gaming Commission conducts its own background checks, financial reviews, and suitability determinations for RW Development. State law requires separate approval for the casino license, which includes evaluation of economic impact, responsible gaming measures, and infrastructure contributions. The $1 million pier investment and tree mitigation commitments already form part of the submitted plans that both bodies will examine.

Local planning documents show the development timeline hinges on these sequential approvals, with construction expected to begin only after the gaming commission issues its license. The three-parcel rezoning covers land currently designated for other uses, so council confirmation remains essential before site work proceeds.

Broader Context for Biloxi Gaming Landscape

Biloxi currently operates eight casinos, and the Black Marlin project would expand that total if it completes the full regulatory process. The location at US 90 and Veterans Avenue sits within the established casino corridor along the Gulf Coast, where multiple properties already draw visitors from across the region. Data from the Mississippi Gaming Commission shows coastal casinos contribute significantly to local tax revenue and employment figures each year.

The Veterans Avenue Pier upgrade and handicap-accessible features add public infrastructure elements that extend beyond the private development, while the hotel component increases overnight capacity near the gaming floor. RW Development has positioned the project to integrate with existing transportation routes, including direct frontage on US 90, which serves as a primary east-west corridor through Biloxi.

Conclusion

The unanimous planning commission decision in September 2026 marks a concrete milestone for the Black Marlin Casino, advancing the 43,800-square-foot gaming facility, 300-room hotel, sportsbook, and $1 million pier through the initial local review stage. Remaining approvals from the city council and Mississippi Gaming Commission will determine whether the project reaches construction and eventual operation as Biloxi’s ninth casino. All elements remain subject to those subsequent regulatory findings before any ground is broken at the US 90 and Veterans Avenue site.