Harrah's Casino Tunica
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| Harrah's Casino Tunica | |
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| Facts and statistics | |
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| Address | 13615 Old Highway 61 North Tunica Resorts, MS 38664 |
| Opening date | 1996 |
| Previous names | Grand Casino Tunica |
| Casino type | Riverboat |
| Theme | Art Deco |
| Owner | Harrah's Entertainment |
| No. of rooms | 1,356 |
| Total gaming space | 140,000 sq ft. |
| Signature attractions | Bellissimo Spa & Salon |
| Notable restaurants | '37 Steakhouse Murano’s Paula Deen Buffet |
| Website | Harrah's Tunica website |
Harrah's Casino Tunica, formerly Grand Casino Tunica, is a casino and resort located in Tunica Resorts, Mississippi. It is owned and operated by Harrah's Entertainment. The casino offers a 140,000-square-foot (13,000 m²) casino and three hotels with a total of 1,356 rooms. There is also an RV park, plus the Bellissimo Spa & Salon.
Restaurants include '37 Steakhouse (formerly LB's), Murano's Italian Restaurant, Replay's Sports Bar, the Paula Deen Buffet[1] (inspired by the famed Food Network personality; formally opened on May 23, 2008, as a renovation of the former Grand Buffet), and Delta Blues. All three hotels also offer room service, and the Terrace and Veranda Towers also offer a snack bar.
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[edit] Facility History
The casino itself was built in 1996. It is the largest casino between Las Vegas and Atlantic City, featuring a non-smoking slot section on the upper floor as well as a large poker room. The first hotel, Casino Tower, was constructed in 1997. It contains 148 rooms and 40 suites. The theme of the hotel is art deco. The second hotel, Veranda Tower, is a country inn-themed hotel which was constructed in 1999. It contains 532 rooms and 36 suites. The largest hotel and final hotel completed, Terrace Tower, was completed in 2001 with more of a modern theme. It contains 563 rooms and 37 suites.
The Veranda and Terrace Towers are not connected to the casino, but located approximately ½ mile away. Complimentary shuttle service, which runs 24 hours a day, takes guests to and from the casino. The Casino Tower is located adjacent to the casino itself and is about 200 yards (180 m) away. There is a covered walkway in between the two. Shuttles also run to the RV Park.
[edit] Renovations and Name Change
In October 2007, Harrah's officials announced that Grand Casino Tunica would undergo a $45 million renovation of its hotels and casinos, which included the resort being renamed Harrah's Casino Tunica.[2] In addition, the company announced that the new Harrah's will feature a new buffet bearing the name of Food Network celebrity chef Paula Deen. Paula Deen's Buffet is reported to be the first celebrity chef-branded buffet at an American casino.[3]
[edit] Ownership History
Grand Casino Tunica's original owner was Grand Casinos, Inc., headed by Lyle Berman, a pioneer in developing resort-style casinos on Native American reservations and in Mississippi.
In 1998, Berman and Grand Casinos, Inc., sold their Tunica, and Biloxi, Mississippi resorts to the gaming division of Hilton Hotels, with the combined assets being spun off to create a new corporation called Park Place Entertainment (later renamed Caesars Entertainment).
In 2004, Caesars Entertainment was acquired by Harrah's Entertainment, which is currently in the process of converting back to the Caesars Entertainment name. In the Tunica market, Harrah's/Caesars also operates Horseshoe Casino Tunica and Sheraton Casino and Hotel Tunica. The three properties share management and player marketing operations.
[edit] Previous Harrah's Casinos in Tunica
The current Harrah's is the third casino in Tunica Resorts to bear the name Harrah's. The first was located just off Casino Strip Blvd., several miles south of the former Grand, and was the first casino to open in that area. In 2000, Harrah's acquired the shuttered Southern Belle Casino, approximately 500 yards (450 m) away from the first Harrah's. The company operated both casinos as Harrah's for a short time, calling the second property "Harrah's Mardi Gras." Eventually, Harrah's sold the original property to Isle of Capri Casinos.
With the sale of Caesars to Harrah's in 2004, the combined companies were forced to sell properties to avoid having a monopoly on the Tunica market. The remaining Harrah's was sold, along with Bally's Casino Tunica, to Colony Capital, and Harrah's was renamed Resorts Casino Tunica.
[edit] References
- ^ Taylor, Brooks. "Hey Y'all!", The Tunica Times, 2008-05-29.
- ^ Harrahs.com: Harrah's Tunica Coming Soon
- ^ Harrahs.com: Paula Deen's Buffet - Coming May 2008
[edit] External links
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