Mississippi Choctaw casino sees small return on big investment

Monday, July 25, 2011  

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians spends at least $1.3 million a year to woo gamblers from Atlanta, Georgia, but few of them are actually visiting the reservation, The Jackson Clarion-Ledger reports.

At the suggestion of a non-Indian company, the tribe serves as a sponsor of the Atlanta Braves. One level of the Turner Field has been named "The Golden Moon Casino Level."

The deal started four of five years ago, Miko Beasley Denson said. But the tribe released figures showing that only 3.74 percent of casino customers come from Atlanta.

Denson's dealings with Mercury Gaming, the non-Indian company, are under scrutiny. The FBI raided the Pearl River Resort and the search warrant specifically mentioned Mercury and its marketing arm, the Titan Agency.

Get the Story:
Braves deal worth price? (The Jackson Clarion-Ledger 7/25)

Related Stories:
Opinion: Raid on Mississippi Choctaw casino tied to non-Indians (7/22)
Editorial: Something just not right with Mississippi Choctaw casino (7/21)
Mississippi Choctaw chief confirms FBI probe tied to gaming firm (7/20)