Harrah's to Reopen Biloxi Casino This Summer

Las Vegas -- Harrah's Entertainment said today that it plans to reopen its Grand Casino Biloxi, severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina, sometime this summer.

The world's largest gaming company, Harrah's plans to rebuild the facility, located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, into a casino and a 500-room hotel featuring a 16,000-square-foot spa.

The summer reopening will mark the first step toward Harrah's development of a world-class resort in Biloxi, the company said, adding that it expects to announce preliminary plans for further development by about mid-year.

"In the coming months and years we will develop our property in Biloxi into a true destination resort, building on the Mississippi Gulf Coast's position as a must-visit vacation spot," said Anthony Sanfilippo, president of Harrah's Central Division.

Harrah's Grand Casino was one of several floating casinos in Biloxi and neighboring Gulfport that Katrina damaged or destroyed when it struck the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29.