Biloxi Planning Commission Clears Path for Black Marlin Casino Through Rezoning Vote
The Biloxi Planning Commission has approved rezoning for three parcels of land tied to RW Development's Black Marlin Casino proposal along Veterans Avenue, a step that moves the long-planned project forward after more than 15 years of preparation, and the decision covers the specific zoning changes needed to accommodate the full scope of the development on the Mississippi Gulf Coast site.
Commission members reviewed the application during their regular session where they examined the parcels' current designations against the proposed casino use before granting the rezoning, which now shifts the focus to the Biloxi City Council for its review and then to the Mississippi Gaming Commission for licensing consideration if the council approves the measure.
Background of the Proposed Development
RW Development has pursued the Black Marlin Casino concept on Veterans Avenue for over 15 years with multiple rounds of planning and revisions along the way, and the project has remained in various stages of local review while the company refined designs to meet city and state requirements for gaming facilities in Biloxi.
Those who've followed the process note that the rezoning approval represents the latest milestone in a sequence that began with initial concept filings more than a decade and a half ago, and each phase has involved adjustments to the layout to incorporate both the gaming floor and the associated hotel and public amenities outlined in the current plans.
Specific Elements of the Black Marlin Project
The approved concept includes a 43,800-square-foot casino floor equipped with 1,100 slot machines and 24 table games plus a dedicated sportsbook area, and the overall development also features a 300-room hotel, multiple restaurants, event space, and a $1 million public Veterans Avenue Pier that would provide waterfront access for the community.
Observers note that these components together would position the Black Marlin as a full-scale resort destination rather than a standalone gaming venue, and the inclusion of the public pier adds a non-gaming element that ties directly into the city's existing waterfront infrastructure along Veterans Avenue.
Next Steps in the Approval Chain
Following the planning commission vote the proposal advances to the Biloxi City Council where council members will conduct their own public hearings and vote on the rezoning ordinance, and if that body grants approval the application then moves to the Mississippi Gaming Commission for the required gaming license review under state regulations.
The Gaming Commission process includes background checks, financial reviews, and compliance evaluations that typically span several months, and successful completion of that stage would allow construction to begin on the site that has already been designated for the ninth casino in Biloxi once all permits are secured.
Context Within Biloxi's Casino Landscape
Biloxi currently operates eight casinos along its coastline, and the addition of the Black Marlin would bring the total to nine if the remaining approvals clear without delays, and city records show that each new facility has contributed to local tax revenue and employment figures in the years following its opening.
Those who've studied the local market point out that Veterans Avenue has seen incremental commercial growth in recent periods, and the proposed casino would sit within an established corridor that already supports tourism traffic heading toward the beach and existing gaming properties.
Conclusion
The planning commission's rezoning approval marks a concrete advancement for the Black Marlin Casino after years of preparation, and the project now depends on the city council and state gaming regulators to determine whether the full vision moves into construction on the three parcels along Veterans Avenue.