Biloxi Planning Commission Advances Black Marlin Casino with Rezoning and Master Plan Approvals

The Biloxi Planning Commission unanimously approved rezoning three parcels to waterfront zoning along with a master plan and the removal of 28 protected trees, including 25 live oaks and three magnolias, to clear the way for RW Development’s Black Marlin Casino project at the intersection of US 90/Beach Boulevard and Veterans Avenue. This action marks a significant step forward for a development that has remained in planning stages for more than 15 years and would introduce Biloxi’s ninth casino once it receives final clearances from the City Council and the Mississippi Gaming Commission. The approved master plan outlines a 300-room hotel paired with a 43,800-square-foot casino floor that will house 1,100 slot machines, 24 table games, and a dedicated sportsbook. Additional amenities include multiple restaurants and bars, meeting and event space, plus a $1 million handicap-accessible pier extending from Veterans Avenue into the water. The tree removal component drew particular attention during the review because the live oaks and magnolias fall under local protection rules, yet the commission determined that the project’s overall layout justified the action after reviewing mitigation measures proposed by the developer. Observers note that the site sits at a prominent waterfront location where US 90 meets Veterans Avenue, positioning the casino to serve both drive-in visitors and those arriving by boat once the new pier opens. The rezoning shifts the three parcels from their prior designations to waterfront commercial zoning, which aligns the property with existing casino corridors along Biloxi’s beachfront and allows the mixed-use elements of the master plan to proceed without additional land-use conflicts. Project documents submitted to the commission detail how the development will integrate parking structures, pedestrian walkways, and landscaping buffers around the retained trees that remain on the parcels. The $1 million pier commitment includes design specifications for ADA compliance, ensuring public access beyond casino guests and creating a new waterfront amenity for the broader Biloxi community. Next steps require the City Council to ratify the planning commission’s recommendations before the Mississippi Gaming Commission conducts its own licensing review. The gaming commission will examine the applicant’s financial qualifications, operational plans, and compliance history as part of its standard process for new casino licenses. Until those approvals occur, construction cannot begin even though the planning-level hurdles have now been cleared. The 15-year timeline reflects earlier delays tied to economic conditions, regulatory reviews, and multiple revisions to the project scope. RW Development has maintained the application through successive city administrations, updating designs to meet evolving waterfront regulations and incorporating feedback from neighborhood meetings held over the past decade.

Key Elements of the Approved Master Plan

The master plan approved alongside the rezoning specifies building heights, traffic circulation patterns, and stormwater management systems designed to handle Gulf Coast rainfall events. Engineers for RW Development presented models showing that the proposed structures would not increase flood risk to adjacent properties once the new drainage infrastructure is installed. The casino floor layout places the sportsbook in a central location visible from multiple entry points, while the slot and table game areas occupy separate wings connected by a main promenade. Restaurant and bar concepts outlined in the plan range from quick-service outlets to full-service dining with views of the water. Meeting space totals approximately 15,000 square feet and is positioned for both corporate events and private functions. The Veterans Avenue Pier component extends roughly 400 feet into the Mississippi Sound and includes lighting, benches, and fishing stations. City records indicate the $1 million investment will be funded directly by RW Development as a condition of the master plan approval rather than through public bonds or tax increments.

Regulatory Path Forward

City Council consideration is scheduled for the coming weeks, where members will review the planning commission record and hear any additional public comments. If the council concurs with the rezoning and master plan, the application then moves to the Mississippi Gaming Commission for the licensing phase. That commission maintains authority over the number of gaming positions, security protocols, and responsible gaming measures required for the facility. According to the Mississippi Gaming Commission, new casino applications undergo background checks on all principals, review of construction timelines, and verification that the project meets minimum investment thresholds established by state statute. The Black Marlin project’s proposed capital outlay exceeds those thresholds, positioning it to advance once municipal approvals are complete.

Conclusion

The planning commission’s unanimous action consolidates years of design revisions and public input into a single set of approvals that now await City Council ratification. Should the council and the Mississippi Gaming Commission grant final sign-off, Biloxi will gain its ninth casino at a location that has stood vacant or underutilized for more than a decade and a half. The project’s specific mix of hotel rooms, gaming space, dining options, and the publicly accessible pier represents the current scope as presented and approved in September 2026.