Scarlet Pearl Casino in D’Iberville, Mississippi has passed inspection and should open on December 9th as planned. The casino was granted a certificate of occupancy this week. The Project Executive for contracting company, Roy Anderson Corp. handed the keys over to casino management and told a local news outlet,  “It’s a great feeling but it’s also bittersweet at the same time. We’ve really grown very close to not only the owners but the sub-contractors, the design team, the consultants, everybody. So, it’s a little sad to see that come to an end but we’re also very excited to reach this milestone.”

Construction moved ahead of schedule with the date slowly bumping from the end of the year, to December 15th, to the 9th. In two weeks the 8th Biloxi area casino will open its doors to the public offering slots, gaming tables, poker, restaurants and bars, and a luxury hotel with a 36 hole miniature golf course across the street where cash prize tournaments will be held.

The golf course complete with erupting volcano is a necessary component of the new resort. Some form of unique attraction or amenity was required in order for the casino to gain a license. The goal is to create new business and draw in new crowds rather than simply cannibalize the other casinos already in operation. Gaming on the coast is up $50 million so far this year and the opening of Scarlet Pearl is expected to give the economy another shot in the arm. Across the state gaming revenues are down but coastal casino performances have given an overall rise of about 1% to the numbers.

Other casinos in the immediate area are also investing in their properties making the Bay area more attractive to visitors overall. About a year ago Landry’s opened their Golden Nugget property. Hard Rock opened a second tower. IP Casino Biloxi is expected to complete the final phase of a more than $10 million upgrade before the end of the year, and Harrah’s just started a $14 million renovation of the former Grand Biloxi. New development beyond Scarlet Pearl includes the possibility of Biloxi Pointe Casino finally coming to fruition once the loop road is completed.

The a opening of Scarlet Pearl Casino will be the culmination of a long held desire for a casino across the Back Bay. All indications are that it will be a huge success.

The casino announced yesterday they have launched a free to play online casino. You will find some of the same games there as you will in the live casino. To play online casino games visitors can go to play.scarletpearlcasino.