The Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC) has approved a site for the new Tullis Garden Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, marking a significant development as the first potential new casino along the Gulf Coast since Hard Rock's 2007 opening.

The approved 35-acre property, located at 360 Beach Blvd. near Harrah's Gulf Coast, meets state gaming regulations and holds the required tidelands lease. Following Hurricane Katrina, Mississippi law allows land-based casinos within 800 feet of the high water line, with mandatory state tidelands lease agreements.

Tennessee businessman Israel Schwartz's project pays tribute to the historic Tullis-Toledano Manor, a Greek Revival mansion destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The development plans include:

• 11-story hotel with 300 rooms
• 53,000+ square feet of gaming space
• 900+ slot machines
• 35 live dealer table games
• Sportsbook
• Full-scale replica of Tullis-Toledano Manor

The project must still secure financing, undergo suitability checks, and obtain construction permits before proceeding.

Meanwhile, the nearby Tivoli Casino proposal, a $1 billion development project led by Danny Conwill, faces delays due to missing tidelands lease and ongoing litigation. The project proposes:

• 1,300 hotel rooms
• Convention center
• 100,000-square-foot casino
• 2,000 slots
• 75 table games
• Sportsbook

Conwill's claim regarding a local contract with the Biloxi Council for pier construction remains under legal challenge by Mississippi State Secretary Michael Watson.

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