Gulf Coast Casinos Return

By the end of the year more than 10,000 casino jobs will be back on the Gulf Coast. Six additional casinos shut down by Hurricane Katrina are expected to open, joining the three that are already open.

When Katrina struck Aug. 29, it shut down the 12 casinos operating on the Coast.

When the casinos return, the amenities are expected to be better than they were before the hurricane. The reopening of six additional casinos would increase casino employment by 6,500 people, employee retention will be just as important as finding new employees. Also, the opening of six additional properties would increase casino hotel rooms to 4,300 - 51 percent of the pre-Katrina number of rooms.[clarionledger.com]