CONTRIBUTIONS
& DONATIONS
MOVING AHEAD
PEOPLE IN
THE NEWS
ADDED ATTRACTIONS
Official Newsmagazine of the Mississippi & Louisiana Gaming Industries
www.mslagamingnews.com
JULY 2017
FRIENDLY COMPETITION
Casinos battle
at Olympic event
CELEBRATING THE BUFFET
TEAM IN BATON ROUGE
COUSHATTA CASINO
HONORS TOP EMPLOYEES
GOLD STRIKE LENDS A
HAND AT FOOD BANK
Contents July 2017
Island View’s
Ramey wins
in PGA event
THISISSUE
COVER STORY
9 Tunica Olympics
Casinos come together
for friendly competition.
FEATURES
6Receiving Awards
12 Now They’re Cooking
12 In the Spotlight
23 Appreciation on the Job
Team members treated to perks.
Casinos honored in a variety of ways.
Going above and beyond
on the job.
Chefs create dishes, win contests, mentor others.
EVERYISSUE
4From The MGHA
14 People In The News
5Gaming Revenues
18 Contributions &
Donations
Gearing up for 25 years of
gaming in Mississippi.
Revenues jumped, as well as
dipped across the region.
Employees recognized for top-
rated service
Volunteering in so many ways.
7Five Minutes With
Jim Kikumoto,
Jena Choctaw Pines Casino.
On the Cover
Penn National Gaming’s Tunica
properties (Bally’s, Hollywood
and Resorts casinos) recently
won the Tunica County Casino
Olympics. Penn National also
took home the trophy for the
Spirit Award.
10
20
J U LY 2 0 1 7
GULFPORT — Kyle Ramey, head
golf pro at Windance Country Club
in Gulfport, recently won first place
at the Ladd’s/Club Car Mississippi
PGA Championship.
Held at Windance Country Club
in Gulfport, the section event
featured 25 players competing for
the win June 5 and 6. Ramey, who
has been with Windance, Island
View Casino Resort’s championship
golf course, since March 2013,
shot rounds of 63 and 73 for a
total of 8-under par with the next
competitor 12
strokes behind.
“It’s always
tough playing an
event at your
home course,”
Ramey said. “It
was really nice
to get off to a
good start. This
Kyle
was my best
Ramey
score ever at
Windance and it
was cool to have achieved it in this
competition.”
The win continues a successful
season as Ramey recently placed
second in the ANTIGUA/HassJordan Pro Championship at
Dancing Rabbit Golf Club at Pearl
River Resort and the National
Car Rental PGA Pro-Am Series in
Louisiana. His next tournament is
the Trustmark Invitational slated for
July 21 -23 in Jackson.
Ramey, a native of Kentucky and
a Biloxi resident, began playing golf
22 years ago.
Windance Country Club, located
in Gulfport, offers an 18-hole Mark
McCumber-designed course with a
driving range and practice green,
as well as a pro shop, clubhouse
and pool. The course has been
recognized as one of Golfweek’s
America’s Best Courses You Can
Play and rated four stars by Golf
Digest Magazine.
MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
3
Mississippi Gaming and Hospitality Association
Getting ready to celebrate
gaming’s 25th anniversary
By Larry Gregory
We all like advanced notice when there
is something exciting on the horizon.
Well, get ready for next month’s edition
of Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News!
With the official
anniversary
falling in August,
the publication
will highlight our
industry’s 25
years of gaming
in Mississippi.
There will be a
lot of interesting
history and
stories of
Larry
successes and
Gregory
resilience within
its pages.
As we mark this historic event, I don’t
want to forget the visitors who have
helped put our market on the national
map. Our gaming and hospitality
industry relies on people visiting
our state from across the country.
Mississippi has been in a prime
position to offer a fabulous gaming
experience, hotel rooms, amenities
and entertainment at a great value to
our guests.
And in the past 25 years, our
products and services have continued
to strengthen. We remain a distinct
destination for this value, which is a
major component of why our market
continues to be a premier destination.
We know that at the heart of our
product are our incredible employees
and their tireless effort to provide the
highest level of service to our guests.
Customer service is paramount in any
industry, especially in ours, and the
feedback we receive from our visitors
indicates this service is executed
extremely well.
This was also a factor in the minds
of early investors when selecting
Mississippi as a gaming investment.
They knew the strong hospitality of
our state would translate into strong
service.
4
MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
So, if you are a gaming veteran who
has participated in some of the great
events over the past 25 years — ground
breakings, ribbon cuttings and the
like — then you have a special place in
our gaming history. Please know how
important you are to our history and we
are glad you have shared in this story.
I know for a fact that many employees
hired 25 years ago are still with the
same companies they started with from
the beginning. This is a true testament
to the commitment our companies have
placed in hiring and retaining the very
best employees.
We have had a great run, but we
should never forget Hurricane Katrina
and the Deepwater Oil Spill on the Gulf
Coast, or the horrific floods in the Delta.
Although our industry was stagnant for
a period, we rebounded with bigger and
better casinos. Our employees never
quit and had the resilience
to not only return to
work, but to help the
communities in which
they lived.
Like you, I am
excited to see
what will be in
the pages in next
month’s edition. I look
forward to traveling back in
time, reflecting on the successes and
challenges, and to somehow translate
those experiences into solid ideas for
how we can make gaming better, and
our state better, in the future. That’s
what it’s all about, isn’t it? We are all
trying to fine-tune our product and our
efforts to bring out the best in each
other, and bring out the best in who we
are as a state. I challenge us all to find
ways to go forward as we reflect. Our
strength lies in that.
I look forward to seeing you on the
other side of the anniversary.
Larry Gregory is the executive director
of the Mississippi Gaming and Hospitality
Association. He can be reached at
[email protected].
J U LY 2 0 1 7
Official Newsmagazine of the
Mississippi & Louisiana
Gaming Industries
JULY 2017
Volume XIV Issue 11
STAFF
W. Michael Sunderman
Publisher
[email protected]
Lori Beth Susman
General Manager / Executive Editor
[email protected]
Mary Sunderman
Associate Publisher
[email protected]
David Grisham
Contributing Editor
[email protected]
Michael Haynes
Business Manager
[email protected]
Designers
Brian Treadaway
Missy Mitchell
Dara Parker
Kelsey Sunderman
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Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News
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in part or whole without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.
MISSISSIPPI GROSS GAMING REVENUES
Nearly 500 associates featured in this issue!
Statewide revenue
up in LA, down in MS
By David Grisham
MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA — Louisiana riverboat casino revenue
and revenue at Louisiana’s land-based casino, Harrah’s New
Orleans, jumped year over year in May while revenue dipped
slightly at Louisiana racetrack slot machines.
Statewide revenue was down at Mississippi casinos year over
year in May as a slight gain at river casinos was offset by a
decrease in revenue on the Gulf Coast.
Comparing May to April, statewide casino revenue was down
in Mississippi and Louisiana. Louisiana racetrack slots did see
revenue increase in May compared to the previous month,
however.
Mississippi casinos took in $169,385,690 in May, down 4.2
percent from the $176,806,883 collected in May of last year.
Statewide revenue in May was 3.1 percent lower than the April
revenue figure of $174,723,659.
Mississippi Gulf Coast casinos saw revenue decrease by 7.4
percent in May 2017 compared to May 2016, going from
$103,904,182 in May of last year to $96,192,164 this May.
Compared to April revenue of $99,216,966, May revenue was
down 3.1 percent on the Gulf Coast.
River casinos in Mississippi took in $73,193,526 this May, up
0.4 percent compared to the $72,902,701 they collected in May
of last year. Compared to an April revenue figure of $75,506,694,
river casinos experienced a decrease of 3.1 percent in May.
Statewide revenue was up 6.9 in Louisiana for riverboat
casinos, going from $153,774,440 to $164,375,574 in the
May-to-May comparison. Compared to an April revenue figure of
$165,375,116, Louisiana riverboat casinos saw a 0.8 percent
decrease in May.
The land-based Harrah’s New Orleans saw revenue increase
8.4 percent in May 2017 compared to May 2016, going from
$23,274,096 to $25,219,590. The $25,219,590 May figure
was 28.1 percent lower than April’s $35,081,136.
Slots at Louisiana racetracks experienced a 1.1 percent
decrease in May 2017 versus May 2016, going from
$30,276,519 to $29,955,435. Compared to April’s
$28,876,005 revenue figure, slots at racetracks saw a 3.7
percent increase in May.
Breaking it down by region for Louisiana riverboat casinos,
Shreveport/Bossier casinos saw revenue decrease from
$54,245,893 in May 2016 to $54,189,829 in May 2017 for
a 0.1 percent dip (+1.1 percent compared to $53,598,595 in
April).
Lake Charles experienced a 12.1 percent increase in May
2017 compared to the same month the prior year, jumping from
>> To Page 6
RIVER CASINOS
Month 2015/2016
Month
2016/2017
MAY
$72,902,701 MAY
$73,193,526 APR
$83,352,568 APR
$75,506,694 MAR
$85,093,833 MAR
$91,545,124 FEB
$85,568,611 FEB
$76,700,536 JAN
$77,003,539 JAN
$66,701,003 DEC
$76,609,879 DEC
$78,411,151 $480,531,131 $462,058,034 Increase% Increase
(Decrease)(Decrease)
$290,825 0.4%
$1,496,845 -1.9%
$6,451,291 7.6%
$(8,868,074) -10.4%
$(10,302,537) -13.4%
$1,801,271 2.4%
$(18,473,097)
-3.8%
GULF COAST CASINOS
Increase% Increase
Month 2015/2016
Month
2016/2017
(Decrease)(Decrease)
MAY $103,904,183 MAY
$96,192,165 $(7,712,018)
-7.4%
APR
$97,514,237 APR
$99,216,966 $1,702,729 1.7%
MAR $103,232,962 MAR $110,145,268 $6,912,306 6.7%
FEB $104,757,190 FEB
$95,155,138 $(9,602,052)
-9.2%
JAN $100,542,310 JAN
$99,051,094 $(1,491,216)
-1.5%
DEC
$90,500,301 DEC
$92,356,794 $1,856,492 2.1%
$600,451,183 $592,117,424 $(8,333,759)
-1.4%
LOUISIANA GROSS GAMING REVENUES
SHREVEPORT/BOSSIER CASINOS
Increase% Increase
Month 2015/2016
Month
2016/2017
(Decrease)(Decrease)
MAY
$54,245,893 MAY
$54,189,829 $(56,064)
-0.1%
APR
$55,673,557 APR
$53,598,595 $(2,074,962)
-3.7%
MAR
$57,600,440 MAR
$62,013,101 $4,412,660
7.7%
FEB
$58,717,049 FEB
$53,593,137 $(5,123,912)
-8.7%
JAN
$53,983,349 JAN
$45,901,284 $(8,082,065) -15.0%
DEC
$56,557,052 DEC
$56,060,545 $(496,507)
-0.9%
$336,777,340 $325,356,491 $(11,420,849)
-3.4%
LAKE CHARLES CASINOS
Increase% Increase
Month 2015/2016
Month
2016/2017
(Decrease)(Decrease)
MAY
$53,920,533 MAY
$60,448,486 $6,527,953 12.1%
APR
$58,641,530 APR
$62,314,325 $3,672,795 6.3%
MAR
$55,373,328 MAR
$62,831,938 $7,458,610 13.5%
FEB
$58,247,429 FEB
$53,014,978 $(5,232,451)
-9.0%
JAN
$55,813,495 JAN
$54,006,430 $(1,807,065)
-3.2%
DEC
$61,665,644 DEC
$66,282,620 $4,616,976 7.5%
$343,661,959 $358,898,777 $15,236,818 4.4%
NEW ORLEANS CASINOS
Increase% Increase
Month 2015/2016
Month
2016/2017
(Decrease)(Decrease)
MAY
$22,507,775 MAY
$23,480,184 $972,409 4.3%
APR
$24,154,250 APR
$23,460,707 $(696,543)
-2.9%
MAR
$23,535,795 MAR
$25,179,604 $1,643,810 7.0%
FEB
$23,308,017 FEB
$23,389,601 $81,584 0.4%
JAN
$21,748,053 JAN
$20,067,308 $(1,680,745)
-7.7%
DEC
$22,602,730 DEC
$22,325,282 $(277,448)
-1.2%
$137,856,620 $137,902,686 $46,066 0.0%
BATON ROUGE CASINOS
Increase% Increase
Month 2015/2016
Month
2016/2017
(Decrease)(Decrease)
MAY
$23,100,237 MAY
$26,258,076 $3,157,839 13.7%
APR
$25,732,941 APR
$26,379,490 $646,549 2.5%
MAR
$24,866,430 MAR
$26,330,880 $5,066,237 20.4%
FEB
$25,787,339 FEB
$26,330,880 $543,541 2.1%
JAN
$22,782,924 JAN
$25,870,696 $3,087,772 13.6%
DEC
$24,178,530 DEC
$27,537,413 $3,358,883 13.9%
$146,448,401 $158,707,435 $12,259,034 8.4%
HARRAH’S NEW ORLEANS CASINO
Increase% Increase
Month 2015/2016
Month
2016/2017
(Decrease)(Decrease)
MAY
$23,274,096 MAY
$25,219,590 $1,945,494 8.4%
APR
$24,600,768 APR
$35,081,136 $10,480,368 42.6%
MAR
$23,958,789 MAR
$21,794,499 $(2,164,289)
-9.0%
FEB
$25,616,413 FEB
$22,620,156 $(2,996,257) -11.7%
JAN
$22,508,568 JAN
$21,427,882 $(1,080,686)
-4.8%
DEC
$22,056,708 DEC
$24,348,790 $2,292,082 10.4%
$142,015,342 $150,492,053 $8,476,711 6.0%
J U LY 2 0 1 7
MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
5
Hard Rock named ‘best’ in MS
Palace receives
excellence awards
BILOXI — Palace Casino Resort recently
received five TripAdvisor Certificate
of Excellence awards. For the second
consecutive year, the resort is a top
performer in five areas: hotel, casino,
Mignon’s Steaks & Seafood, Palace Buffet
and STACKED Grill, as reviewed by travelers
on TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel
site.
TripAdvisor’s Certificates of Excellence
are given only to establishments that
consistently achieve outstanding traveler
reviews on TripAdvisor. Only the topperforming 10 percent of businesses listed
on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious
award.
“Palace Casino Resort is delighted to
receive five Certificates of Excellence from
TripAdvisor again this year,” said General
Manager Keith Crosby. “Our associates
are dedicated to providing our guests with
a memorable experience, and these awards
are evidence of their success. We see
it in the consistently positive reviews on
TripAdvisor.”
To qualify for a Certificate of Excellence,
businesses must maintain an overall rating
of four or higher, out of a possible five, as
reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor, and
must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at
least 12 months.
Additionally, the spa at Palace Casino
Resort was recently named as one of the
10 Best Spas in Mississippi by Best of
Mississippi website at bestthingsms.com.
PURE, The Palace Spa was the only casino
spa in the state to make the prestigious
list.
BILOXI — Hard Rock Hotel &
Casino Biloxi was awarded Best
Hotel in Mississippi by Condé Nast
in their June 30, 2017 report
of The Best Hotel
or Resort in Every
State, as featured in
Condé Nast Traveler
Magazine. The number
one hotels and resorts
nationwide were voted
through Condé Nast’s
29th annual Readers’
Choice Awards survey.
More than 300,000
travelers took part
in the survey, a new
record for Condé
Hard
Nast.
“It’s an honor to receive an award
like this from such a distinguished
publisher like Condé Nast,” said
Todd Raziano, general manager of
Hard Rock. “Mississippi is home to
so many high-quality hotel resorts
and to be awarded the title of bestof-the-best on the Gulf Coast, never
mind thoughout the entire state
of Mississippi, just reiterates we
provide a hospitality experience like
no other.”
This award is timely for the Biloxi
resort as July marks the resort’s
10th anniversary. “It’s a special
award to win right now. It especially
means a lot to us because each
state’s winner was voted on by
readers, travelers and guests. It’s
a great testament to the efforts of
our extraordinary staff, the unique
culture we deliver and the talented
teams we have in place here,”
Raziano added.
This achievement comes on
the heels of several recent wins
for Hard Rock Biloxi, including a
Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi
2017 Certificate of Excellence from
TripAdvisor.
Hard Rock Biloxi has 479 hotel
rooms and suites. “Our manageable
size allows us to provide an intimate,
personalized hotel experience for
each and every one of our guests,”
said Shaun Catchot, director of
hotel operations at Hard Rock Biloxi.
“We are small enough to have
extreme attention to detail and
to truly focus on an individualized
guest experience. Yet we have all of
the amenities of a full-scale resort
with our lively pool scene, various
nightlife options, headline concerts,
array of dining choices and, of
course, our abundance of gaming,
too. Hard Rock Biloxi guests can
enjoy the benefit of an intimate hotel
experience with all of the amenities
of a world-class casino resort,”
Catchot added.
>> From Page 5
$53,920,533 to $60,448,486 (-3.0
percent compared to $62,314,325 in
April).
New Orleans increased 4.3 percent
in revenue in May 2017 compared to
May 2016 — from $22,507,775 to
$23,480,184 (+0.1 percent compared
to $23,460,707 in April).
Baton Rouge experienced a 13.7
percent boost in revenue, bringing in
$26,258,076 in May 2017 compared
to $23,100,237 in May 2016 (-0.5
percent compared to $26,379,490 in
April).
6
MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
J U LY 2 0 1 7
5 Minutes With... name
What, where, when was your first
job in the gaming industry?
I started as a blackjack dealer at
the 4-Way Casino in Wells, Nevada, in
1976.
Name Jim Kikumoto
Current Title General Manager
Company Jena Choctaw Pines Casino
What do you like best about your
current job?
I enjoy the team members I work with,
which includes everyone from our front
line staff to the executive team.
What is the best piece of business
advice you ever received and from
whom did you receive it?
“Be positive and proactive versus
negative and reactive, and keep a sense
of humor.” I received this advice from
Dee Pigsley, tribal chairman for the
Siltze Tribe.
What advice do you have for those
just starting in the gaming industry?
Years In The Gaming Industry 40 Years
Establish your goals and objectives and
stick to them.
just for yourself?
Exercise.
How do you define “success”?
Self-satisfaction. Money, titles,
possessions can all go away. Satisfaction
with what you do and who you are
defines true success.
What is it about the gaming industry
that makes it a good industry?
It’s diversity. The industry crosses
over into so many other professions,
whether it is F&B, hotel, entertainment,
marketing, golf, IT, finance and more…
How exciting is that!
What is something you do each day
Paul Alanis elected Caesars recognized for
corporate citizenship
BCV chairman
BOSSIER CITY — Bossier
Casino Venture Inc., owner and
operator of the Margaritaville
Resort Casino in Bossier
City, Louisiana, announced
Jess Ravich has resigned
as chairman of the board of
directors. Paul Alanis has
been elected to replace him.
Alanis, who developed the
property, will serve as CEO and
chairman of the company. He
said, “We all want to express
Paul Alanis
our sincere thanks to Jess
Ravich for the major contributions he has made to the
success of our company over the past four years. His
leadership skills will be missed but we are pleased that
he will remain as one of our substantial shareholders.”
Alanis added, “Our company has made enormous
progress over the four-year period we have been
operating, but I believe we have yet to realize our
full potential. We have established ourselves as the
nicest and friendliest casino in the Shreveport-Bossier
City market and are proud that we have been voted
Best Overall Casino in the Mid-South three years
running. I intend to move us aggressively forward in
continuing to improve our property and provide the
best entertainment experience possible for our loyal
customers.”
LAS VEGAS — Caesars Entertainment Corporation, with
several properties in Mississippi and Louisiana, was recognized
as the most community-minded company in the consumer
discretionary industry today by Civic 50, a Points of Light
initiative. The Civic 50 provides a national standard for superior
corporate citizenship and showcases how companies can use
their time, skills and other resources to improve quality of life
in the communities where they do business. This is the third
consecutive Civic 50 list on which Caesars has been included.
“With a focus on community and employee engagement,
Caesars is committed to doing its part to improve the lives
of our employees and our communities,” said Jan Jones
Blackhurst, executive vice president of public policy and
corporate responsibility. “From beach cleanups to adopting a
highway or conducting a food drive, our employees consistently
give their time to help our communities. We are proud of the
impact they have made, and want to share this recognition with
them.”
Among other initiatives, Caesars’ integrated, company-wide
citizenship strategy includes its:
HERO employee engagement initiative through which
employees have reported more than 400,000 volunteer hours
each year;
Investment in community, the Caesars Foundation has donated
more than $72 million to local non-profits;
Commitment to diversity; and
Award-winning CodeGreen environmental program that
focuses on the dramatic reduction of waste, water and carbon
emissions.
J U LY 2 0 1 7
MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
7
Teams compete in Tunica for Olympic title
By David Grisham
TUNICA RESORTS — Eight Tunica
casinos and the Isle of Capri Lula
participated in the Tunica Casino
Olympics at the Tunica Arena & Expo
Center last month in a team-building
competition that raised money for the
American Cancer Society. The event
proved to be a lot of fun and when
the arena dust had settled, the Penn
National team (Bally’s, Hollywood and
Resorts casinos) took home the firstplace trophy in the competition, and
also won the Spirit Award. Caesars
Entertainment (Horseshoe Tunica and
Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel) took
home the award for second and the Isle
of Capri Lula claimed the third place
trophy. The other casinos participating
were Fitz Casino & Hotel, Gold Strike
and Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall.
Admission to the event was $1 at
the door. The $1,146 in proceeds from
the event went to the American Cancer
Society.
Each team wore special colors and
the arena was divided into casino
cheering sections. The teams entered
the area for the competition with great
fanfare, most dancing to music and one
marching onto the arena floor in the
same fashion as a military drill team.
The Penn National team came ready to
cheer, though, with organized cheers led
by a cheerleader complete with bullhorn.
They made a grand appearance into the
arena Hollywood-style, with background
props, costumes and a choreographed
dance routine to leave little doubt which
team would capture the Spirit Award.
The four-hour competition that would
ensue included a variety of challenges
that tested the skills and athleticism of
the participants.
The Pitch Me In event required
contestants to pitch as many cards as
possible into five separate bowls on a
8
MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
gaming table. The bowls were positioned
side to side, or using a combination of
where players would be in a poker
the two.
tournament.
There was also a Giant Jenga event
The Box Stacking Challenge required
that pushed teams dangerously close
five-member teams to participate
to a Jenga fail, while the Wine Race
in a timed relay competition. Each
was sure to improve the speed and
contestant had to race to a pile
of unassembled boxes, build and
tape the boxes, stack them, and
race back to tag a team member,
who would do the same until all
five completed the exercise.
The Obstacle Odyssey included
a variety of team challenges: corn
hole, football toss, golf, basketball
and a sack race across a finish
line. If any one challenge stumped
a player, the whole team would
suffer. As pressure mounted
and the timer ticked down, the
challenges became more and
more difficult.
The Pad Toss required two
participants to represent
the team. In this challenge,
a blindfolded team member
tossed pads toward his or her
teammate, who attempted to
Penn National celebrated after being
catch them on the end of a mop
announced the winner of the Spirit Award
handle. Other team members
soon after being awarded first place overall
coached the blindfolded member
for the Olympic competition.
on where and how to toss the
pad.
The Safety Gear Relay Race was also
efficiency in the delivery of drinks to
a five-person team event. Participants
casino patrons. Teams had to pour wine
were required to race to a chair and put
in glasses and run 250 feet with a tray
on safety goggles, safety shoes, gloves,
of drinks without spilling anything. They
a disposable cap and apron, and race
were required to carry the tray with one
back to tag a fellow participant in this
hand. Teams were penalized for every
timed event.
ounce of wine spilled.
Card Sharks, another timed event,
All of the events proved to be fun for
required contestants to sort a deck of
all as team members supported and
playing cards by suit and tag another
encouraged each other through the
team member, who would then sort the
series of challenges. As the winners
cards in number order.
were announced, team members rushed
The Tower of Power involved stacking
to the stage at the center of the arena
and joyfully accepted the trophies, with
alternating playing cards and dice to
hugs and high-fives all around. The
build a tower. The team with the highest
pride was evident as the winning teams
tower after one minute was declared
assembled for group photos. Those
the winner. Some did quite well and
who didn’t finish in the top three were
appeared to be marching toward
congratulatory, but the phrase “wait until
victory, only to see the stack fall.
next year” could be heard throughout
The Dice Flip competition involved
the arena. Expect more spirit, more
shaking dice from one bottle to
advance preparation and more fun for
another in a two-sided container in a
2018’s event. Penn National has thrown
timed event. A variety of techniques
down the gauntlet. Who will rise to the
were used, including furiously shaking
challenge next year? Stay tuned.
the container up and down, shaking
J U LY 2 0 1 7
The Tunica Casino Olympics were held recently at the
Tunica Arena & Expo Center. Second-place winners
were from Caesars Entertainment properties (above, in
orange) and third-place winners were from Isle of Capri
Casino Lula (above right, in blue), Along with the Penn
National team (in white), other teams included Fitz Casino
& Hotel (green), Gold Strike (yellow) and Sam’s Town
(black). For a look at more photos from the Tunica Casino
Olympics, visit Facebook.com/MississippiGamingNews.
J U LY 2 0 1 7
MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
9
Kinder employees in the spotlight
KINDER — Two employees at
Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder
were recognized
for going above
and beyond for
their customers,
one by a team
member and
the other by a
customer. These
employees —
Ross Hardy
Ross Hardy, table
games, and Nell
Wynn Pelican, hospitality — were also
featured in the company’s newsletter.
Hardy impressed his peers on
Mother’s Day at the casino when a guest
at his table said she was worried she
would not be able to hear should her
name be chosen for a drawing taking
place at the time. Hardy made it a point
to let the guest
know each name
being called and
kept encouraging
her.
Pelican was
complimented in
a letter written
by a guest.
Nell Wynn Pelican “Her demeanor,
attitude and great
guest service is always very positive
while she is fulfilling her job duties and
assisting guests,” the letter stated. “Her
attitude is always the same and it is easy
to see that she loves her work and being
around people…”
Founder’s Day
MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
Several team members at
WaterView Casino Hotel went
above and beyond recently with
their guest service. Pictured
with General Manager Anthony
Scudiero (third from right) are
Brady James, The Buffet; Dinah
Wood, casino services; Alicia
Gray, The Lucky Bean; Denise
Heard, housekeeping; and
Melvin Ware, housekeeping.
Let’s Make a Dealer
The original Hard Rock property opened
in London on June 14, 1971. To mark
the occasion, all Hard Rocks around
the globe celebrate this Founder’s Day.
Hard Rock Biloxi served a special menu
in the employee dining room. Additionally,
employees were encouraged to dress in
their grooviest ‘70s attire and take a quiz
to test their brand knowledge for a chance
to win prizes. Michelle Edwards, security,
and Darla Thomas, slots, were the quiz
winners, while Leslie Derrick (below left),
special events, and Monica Davis (below
right), room service, were the bestdressed hippies. All winners received a $50
shopping credit for a Hard Rock marketing
item.
10
Above, Beyond
Treasure Bay graduated its first class of dealers at the Biloxi
resort. The table games department began offering free blackjack
classes in April to all crew members, and after the six-week
course, students who passed an audition were offered jobs as
dealers. Pictured with their teachers, Matthew Whitehouse and
Brandy Dafun, are (left to right) graduates James Gale, Mario
Hughes, Michael Bible, Lucus Parker and Gyde O’Neal.
Clean Our House
Caesars
Entertainment
Mid-South
volunteers
were at it
again — this
time on their
own property.
The employee volunteers participated in the Clean Our House event,
working on the back parking lots of Horseshoe Tunica and Tunica
Roadhouse casinos. The Clean Our House event will now be held
monthly, and working with
CodeGreen, it helps to
promote environmental
stewardship, one of the four
pillars of Caesars Code of
Commitment representing
a promise to preserve the
planet for current and future
generations.
J U LY 2 0 1 7
Beau Rivage chef in blended burger project
BILOXI — Beau Rivage is participating in The James Beard
they love, knowing it is a healthier and more sustainable
Foundation’s Blended Burger Project, a nationwide contest
preparation.
and challenge to make a “blended burger” by
Wade’s motivation to enter the Blended
combining ground meat with finely chopped
Burger Project is based on a moment of
mushrooms to create a delicious, healthier
inspiration he had at a recent conference.
and more sustainable burger.
“I attended the Re-Think Food Conference at
Beau Rivage Executive Chef Kristian Wade
the Culinary Institute of America in Greystone,
has chosen to feature the Landmass Burger
California, and had a defining moment as a
to showcase a healthier burger. The blended
chef,” he said. “The thought of not being able to
mushroom burger features a blend of New
feed the world’s population 50 years from now
Orleans barbecue sauce and Alabama white
was eye-opening and scary for me. It made me
sauce and affectionately gets its name from
realize it is my responsibility to take this crisis
a Weather Channel forecaster’s description
on, starting with myself and the chefs who work
of the Mississippi Gulf Coast — “the
with me. When I read the e-mail for the Blended
landmass between New Orleans, Louisiana,
Burger Project, I said to myself this is a perfect
and Mobile, Alabama.”
opportunity to bring awareness of sustainable
Built atop a homemade bun, the Landmass
food sources to our staff and guests.”
Burger also features a grilled double-patty,
The contest ends on July 31, with the
Chef Kristian Wade and the
American cheese, Mississippi Tomato
five chefs who receive the most online votes
Landmass Burger.
Fondue, caramelized onions and crispy bread
receiving a trip to the historic James Beard
and butter pickles. Blending meat with mushrooms reduces
House in New York City where they will showcase their blended
calories, fat and sodium while adding important nutrients
burgers at an exclusive event in 2018.
like vitamin D, potassium and B vitamins. A blended burger
To vote, find the Landmass Burger at jamesbeard.org/
also brings more sustainable, plant-based items to menus
blendedburgerproject and follow the prompts. The burger can
allowing Americans to enjoy the taste and flavor of the burgers
also be found in the resort’s Terrace Cafe.
Best In Class
Seafood Cook-Off
Scarlet Pearl Casino
Resort won Best in Class
for their signature oysters
at the recent Gulf Coast
Oyster Cook-off & Festival
held at the Biloxi Town
Green. The winning entry
prepared by the resort’s
culinary team was crabstuffed oysters.
Chef Lyle Broussard of Jack
Daniel’s Bar & Grill at L’Auberge
Casino Resort Lake Charles
was chosen as one of 12
chefs to compete in the 10th
Annual Louisiana Seafood Cookoff. Broussard represented
Southwest Louisiana when he
cooked for the crown in June
in Lafayette with a focus on
the flavor and sustainability of
Louisiana seafood.
People’s Choice
The culinary
team at
Island View
Casino
Resort’s
Beach Blvd
Steamer,
under the
leadership of
Chef David
Crabtree,
recently
took home the People’s Choice Award from the
Gulf Coast Oyster Cook-off & Festival in Biloxi. The
winning oysters were baked oysters Rockefeller,
baked oysters Bienville and chargrilled oysters with
tomato jam and andouille crust. More than 1,000
oysters were served in four hours. Room chef
Amanda Irwin is pictured with Crabtree.
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MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
J U LY 2 0 1 7
Recipe Contest Winner
Michael Elliott (right),
executive chef at The Buffet
at Golden Nugget Lake
Charles, announced seventh
grader Lora Sharpe (center)
as the winner of the 2017
Our Lady Queen of Heaven
School Culinary Club Recipe
Contest. Sharpe won with
her recipe for Crawfish
Sauce Piquant and had her
dish featured in the casino’s
buffet in June. Elliott and
his team tested more than
40 recipes before selecting
the winner. Also pictured is
Sue Ellen Stokeld, OLQHS
Culinary Club sponsor.
Most Talented
Table games dealer Brian McGee was the first-place
winner in the annual L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake
Charles Team Member Talent Show with his drum
performance. DeAndre
Hamilton and DeZhaun
Hamilton, warehouse,
came in second place,
and Ken Benoit,
building and grounds,
was the third-place
winner.
Showing Off in Baton Rouge
Ten talented team members at L’Auberge Casino Resort
Baton Rouge took to the stage recently, competing
in the fourth annual Team Member Talent Show.
Winners were Laketra Gordon, dealer, who came in
first place with her version of a Beyonce song; Da’Veed
Holt, beverage server, who came in second with a
Bruno Mars mashup; and Lauren Regner, hotel sales
manager, third place with a Jennifer Hudson/Tina
Turner mashup. DeAndre Hill, buffet server, won the
judge’s choice for his original spoken word performance.
The show was hosted by (below right) Ryan Hernandez,
casino host, and Sally Stiel, advertising manager.
J U LY 2 0 1 7
MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
13
People In The News
May’s best recognized at Silver Slipper Casino
HANCOCK COUNTY — Silver Slipper
Casino Hotel recognized its May
Employees of the Month and Supervisor/
Manager of the Month nominees and
winners during a recent luncheon held in
the Blue Bayou Bar & Grill.
George Soukup, facilities, and
Loryjean Farve, EVS, were named
Employees of the Month, and Kevin
Dresback, food and beverage supervisor,
was named Supervisor/Manager of the
Month.
Soukup was
cited for being
constantly busy
with time-sensitive
projects; however,
when a coworker
needs assistance,
he makes himself
Kevin
available. He takes
Dresback
pride in his work
and has initiative.
Farve understands the importance of her
job and routinely exceeds expectations.
Once she completes her duties, she
is always willing to lend a hand to her
coworkers.
Silver Slipper Casino’s General Manager John Ferrucci (center)
congratulates the Employee of the Month and Supervisor/Manager of the
Month nominees and winners.
Dresback regularly goes above and
beyond, but recently he took it up a
notch when he came across a female
employee who had an accident on her
way home. Dresback made sure she
was okay and waited with her until her
husband arrived. His care and concern
for coworkers does not stop after
clocking out and leaving the property.
Also nominated for the employee
Workers honored at Island View
GULFPORT — Island View Casino Resort named
several staff members as V.I.E.W. Service Achievement
Certificate honorees.
Among the group of outstanding employees recently
selected were Donna Carlat, PBX operator; Courtney
Fairley, lead revenue auditor; Lauren Herrin, hotel
operations supervisor; Aaron Jefferson, public
areas attendant; Linda Olsen, room service cashier;
and James Pate, slot technician. Also recognized
were Sharon Ragusa, reservations/PBX; Selita
Shimp, lead players club ambassador; Rico Vasquez,
casino beverage bar back; and Daniel Wilson, hotel
housekeeping heavy duty porter.
The V.I.E.W. (Value,
Initiative, Excellence, Wow)
Service Achievement program
recognizes employees who offer
exemplary guest service at the
Gulfport resort.
Each winner receives a
certificate of achievement and a
$50 gift certificate to be used
at one of several Island View
Sharon
restaurants.
Ragusa
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MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
J U LY 2 0 1 7
Courtney
Fairley
Selita
Shimp
honors were Danielle Leitz, valet;
Bernardine Labat, assistant cage/
credit manager; Alvin Parker, slots;
Alex Gibson, security; and Rich Chase,
hotel manager.
Nominees and winners receive prizes,
including cash and gift certificates. The
winners from each month also become
eligible for the title of Employee of the
Year.
Exemplary Values
Cynthia
Oglethorpe
Daphne
Jefferson
Jena Choctaw Pines Casino recently
recognized two team members.
Named Team Member of the Month
for May were Cynthia Oglethorpe,
players club host, who was honored
for front of the house, and Daphne
Jefferson, cook, who received the
honor for back of the house. Team
members at Jena Choctaw Pines
Casino are recognized by practicing
C.H.I.E.F. core values, exemplifying
Compassion, Humility, Integrity,
Excellence and Fun.
People In The News
IP Casino rewards team
members for dedication
BILOXI — IP
Casino Resort Spa
recently honored six
team members for
their dedication to
customer service by
naming them April
Team Members of the
Month at a special
Diana
ceremony.
Gomez
The Team Members
of the Month included
Diana Gomez,
housekeeping; Elisha
Martin, Highlights
Sports Lounge;
and Jeremy Olier,
security, for front of
the house; and Phung
Le, room service;
Becky Rogers,
compliance; and
Jeremy
Roy Ryan, food and
Olier
beverage, for back of
the house.
Team members received two show
tickets, a recognition plaque, a specialedition nametag, a professional photo and
front-of-house/back-of-house recognition
for the following month. Honorees are
entered into a drawing to receive special
prizes, including dining and parking
specials, cash prizes and the chance to
attend an end-of-year banquet.
At the banquet, one team member will
be named Team Member of the Year,
winning an all-expenses-paid trip for two to
Hawaii.
Elisha
Martin
Phung
Le
Roy
Ryan
Happy Heroes
Riverwalk Casino
Hotel named its
Happy Heroes for
May. Michelle
Martin, executive
assistant, and
Vicky James,
housekeeper,
Vicky
Michelle
received the top
James
Martin
honors. Martin
has been with
the Vicksburg property since September 2008, while
James has been employed at Riverwalk since October
2016.
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MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
15
People In The News
Shining in Shreveport
Levi Wilkins
Best of the Best for April at Coushatta Casino Resort
Coushatta associates go
above, beyond in April
KINDER — Coushatta Casino Resort named its Best of the
Best for April at luncheon. The associates were nominated by
their peers for their exemplary job performance, going above and
beyond expectations to deliver “ultimate Southern hospitality.”
Named Best of the Best were James Roach, Tomika Thomas
and Bryan Guidry, marketing; Cynthia Guillory, security; Dakota
Castillo, Keith Mask and Henry Courville, maintenance; Stacy
Calder, administrative coordinator; Yvonne Jackson, RV park;
Cheryl Aid and Luz Cuellar, EVS; Alexandria Davis, beverage
server; Kesia Lemoine, human resources/employment
coordinator; and Stephene Miller, kiosk/drop team.
Winners received a check for $200, front-row parking and a
commemorative plaque and badge pin.
Tops at Treasure Chest
Reynaldo
Pobre
Frank Ceasar,
General Manager Mike Garms
Treasure Chest Casino named its Team Members of the
Month for May. Reynaldo Pobre, security, was the front-ofthe-house winner, and Frank Ceasar, EVS, was the heart-ofthe-house winner. The Team Members of the Month received
a brass name badge, embroidered Treasure Chest jacket,
$250, dinner for two and a chance to be named Team
Member of the Year.
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MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
J U LY 2 0 1 7
Tera Davis
Sam’s Town Shreveport recently honored two
employees. Levi Wilkins, IT, and Tera Davis,
hotel clerk, were named Team Members of
the Month for June. The employees received a
number of items, including a Boyd Gaming gift
card, and are featured on a poster for all at
the property to see.
Scarlet Pearl lauds
workers with smiles,
positive attitudes
D’IBERVILLE — Scarlet
Pearl Casino Resort
recently named Peggy
Norris, slot attendant,
and Tronya Batey, human
resources clerk, as
Associates of the Month
for May.
Norris, who was selected
for front of the house, has
Peggy
a positive attitude even
Norris
when tensions are running
high with team members.
She has been known to
sing to lighten the spirits of
those feeling overwhelmed
or agitated.
Selected for the back
of the house, Batey does
her work with a smile
on her face, facing even
tough times by going
full steam ahead. Batey
Tronya
has also taken on new
Batey
responsibilities and
embraces learning.
Winners received $250, one month VIP parking,
24 hours of paid time off, four tickets to Lava Links
and a buffet for two, along with balloons and a
framed certificate.
Contributions & Donations
March for Babies
Rolling Up Their Sleeves
Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort raised money for the local March
of Dimes through sales of T-shirts, wristbands and wall cards.
A raffle for associates was also held. Associates raised $2,000
for the organization. Scarlet Pearl associates, pictured with
March of Dimes executives, also participated in the March of
Dimes March for Babies in April at Point Cadet.
Doggone Volunteers
Harrah’s Gulf Coast HEROs
spent time at the Humane
Society of South Mississippi
recently where they visited
with the puppies, as well
as worked in the Fashion
Hounds Thrift. While with
the animals, the volunteers
walked the puppies providing
them with needed exercise and
playtime. In the thrift store,
the volunteers stocked shelves
and hung up clothing.
Island View
Casino Resort
employees
once again
rolled up their
sleeves to help
those in need
during the May
American Red
Cross Blood
Drive. More
than 30 team
members came together, and 25 pints of blood
were collected, meeting the resort’s blood drive
goal. Participants were also entered into a
drawing for prizes at the resort. Participating
in the blood drive were (clockwise from top left)
Ricky Dombrowski, Windance Golf Club general
manager; Crystal Broadus, retail clerk; and
Justin Dombrowski, buffet server.
Building a Home
Fundraising Record
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
underwrote the Junior Auxiliary of
Biloxi-Ocean Springs 12th annual
gala for area children, which
raised more than $150,000 for
the nonprofit organization, which
renders charitable services that
benefit the general public with an
emphasis on children. This marked
the 10th year the Biloxi resort has
served as the presenting sponsor.
Pictured at the event are Ashleigh
Lamas, Beau Rivage catering/
conference services manager, and
Missy Dombrowski, community/
legal affairs manager.
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MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
Boomtown Casino Biloxi and Hollywood Gulf
Coast participated in the annual Habitat for
Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s
Women Build assisting with a home being
built in Gulfport. The build, in which more
than 231 women participated, took place
from April 19 through May 13. Pictured
at the build are Hollywood employees
Charla Fontenot, hotel manager; Jamie
St. Germain, beverage manager; Debbie
Giordano, food and beverage analyst; and
Francesca Voorbrood, database marketing
analyst at Boomtown.
J U LY 2 0 1 7
Contributions & Donations
Blood Drive
Treasure Bay hosted an American
Red Cross Blood Drive last
month as part of the Casino Cup
Challenge and donated 63 pints of
blood. The drive, held in conjunction
with the resort’s Hawaiian-themed
crew member event, also raised
money for the American Heart
Association with a Jeans Day
fundraiser. Pictured are (above)
Stephen McLean, slot tech, and
Alicia Stansberry, table games
dealer.
BBQ for Veterans
Volunteers from Horseshoe Tunica
and Tunica Roadhouse recently
hosted the second annual BBQ for
Veterans on the Spinal Cord Injury
Patio at the Memphis VA Medical
Center. Veterans took part in
karaoke and enjoyed the company
of fellow comrades, all while eating
hot-off-the-grill barbecue fare, sides
and sweets. This annual event is
just one way the HEROs can show
their thanks to those who have
served the country.
Women Build
For the 10th consecutive year, Habitat for
Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s
Women Build fundraising event has brought
together local women to help build homes
for families in need. IP Casino Resort Spa
had a number of women volunteer to work
at the Women Build House construction site.
Additionally, the team donated $2,450 to
Habitat for Humanity.
Volunteers at Work
After finishing a food-packing
event for Sacred Heart Southern
Missions this spring, Gold Strike
volunteers helped clean up
the storage room in the
Mission’s Tunica office. The
clean up resulted in water being
provided to a local park, sodapop tabs being donated to the
Ronald McDonald House pop-tab collection and aluminum cans
being recycled.
J U LY 2 0 1 7
MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
19
Contributions & Donations
Summer Games
Dragon Boat Races
The security
team at Beau
Rivage organized
volunteers for the
Summer 2017
Special Olympics
held in May at
Keesler Air Force
Base. A total of
35 employees
from Beau
Rivage worked as
volunteers in the
food tent.
The High Rowers
The United Way of South Mississippi held its
second annual Dragon Boat Races at Gulfport Lake
in April. A number of casino teams participated,
including IP Casino Resort Spa (above) and Harrah’s
Gulf Coast (below). IP’s team, lead by captains
Travis Videkovich, slots, and Brigit Pence, player
development, took home the first-place wooden
paddle trophy in the gaming industry category. The
team from Harrah’s did not place, but reported
having a great time.
Jena Choctaw Pines
Casino team members
participated in the
Alexandria River Fete
and Dragon Boat Races.
The casino has been a
sponsor of this event,
which helps raise funds
for the Alexandria Museum of Art. The casino team
was named The High Rowers.
Awakening the Dragon
Golden Nugget Lake Charles was a VIP event sponsor of the
2017 Dragon Boat Race. The property sponsored the Awakening
of the Dragons Ceremony and VIP reception on the evening
before the fifth annual boat race in April. Twenty-eight teams
competed along the Lake Charles Seawall in this fundraising
event, which benefits the Children’s Miracle Network program
at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital. Elizabeth McLaughlin
(second from right), community relations manager for Golden
Nugget Lake Charles, presents a $10,000 check to (from left)
Don Lloyd, president and CEO of CHRISTUS St. Patrick Health
System; Cara Wyland, Children’s Miracle Network director
at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation; and Stephen Wright,
senior vice president of group operations for CHRISTUS Health
Louisiana and Southeast Texas.
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MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
J U LY 2 0 1 7
Contributions & Donations
Fundraising Team Members
IP Casino Resort Spa team members
participated in a fundraising campaign in support
of the March of Dimes, as well as walked in the
April March for Babies event. Team Captains
Diane Burkhalter, executive office; Brandi
Ingram, purchasing; Ashley Allen, security;
Jessica Knight, table games; and Jackie Brown,
housekeeping, led IP’s fundraising efforts, raising
more than $21,000. March of Dimes recognized
IP Casino at this year’s walk as the team that
raised the most money.
Buddying-Up
Harrah’s Gulf Coast, in partnership with the National Parks Trust
and the Buddy Bison School Program, are buddying-up with school
children at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
in Gautier, Mississippi.
Harrah’s HERO volunteers
spent time with 135 fourth
grade students from Biloxi’s
Popp’s Ferry Elementary
School at the wildlife park.
The Buddy Bison School
Program encourages
children and their families
to get outside and have the
American park experience.
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MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
21
Contributions & Donations
Relay for Life
Glow Run
The American Cancer Society held
its annual Relay for Life of Harrison
County recently, and working from
an ’80s-themed display, complete
with neon inflatable chairs, IP
Casino Resort Spa team members
sold cookies, brownies, chips and
water to raise funds for the event.
Under the leadership of team
captains Glenda Dresback, human
resources, and Ashley Allen,
security, IP’s team raised $2,400
for the American Cancer Society.
Golden Nugget Biloxi employees hosted
the second annual Glow Run to benefit
the American Heart Association. Many
casino employees were among the
360 participants who gathered at the
Biloxi resort and ran or walked the
Ocean Springs Bridge and back to the
Golden Nugget.
Food Bank Volunteers
Gold Strike employees
volunteered at the MidSouth Food Bank’s Pack and
Sort located in Memphis.
Volunteers helped sort
through and box hundreds
of donated food items that
will be distributed to one
county in Arkansas, 12
counties in Tennessee and
18 counties in Mississippi.
Cool Snacks
Day of Action
Caesars
Entertainment
HERO employee
volunteers from
Horseshoe
Tunica and Tunica
Roadhouse helped
Memphians who
were affected
by the early
June storms.
Power lines and trees littered the roadway after
winds reached 100 miles per hour throughout the
Memphis and Mid-South area. After learning that
more than 100,000 families were affected by the
power outages and sustained damage, the HEROs
delivered water and snacks to those waiting in line
outside of the Department of Human Services in
Memphis. Those helping with the effort included
Cynthia Smith, wardrobe; Angelic Gardner, human
resources; Patricia Williams, hotel; Amanda Head,
human resources; Tammy Young, human resources;
Jonathan Hall, director of business and process
improvement; and James Taylor, banquets.
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MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
J U LY 2 0 1 7
Lady Luck Casino employees volunteered recently at the
United Way Day of Action event at the Vicksburg YMCA.
The casino employees set up a booth and gave sunscreen,
lip balm, hand sanitizer and Frisbees to the children who
attended the Curious George-themed event. Additional
community businesses participated in the day, which
provided fun and educational activities.
Aloha from Treasure Bay
The recent Crew Member Appreciation Day at
Treasure Bay was festive fun as everyone was
treated to a luau in the employee dining room. A
variety of dishes with a Hawaiian twist were offered,
including roasted kalua pork, teriyaki chicken with
pineapple, mahi-mahi, sweet bread, piña colada cake
and macadamia nut cookies — all served by senior
leadership, including Matthew Ulm and Andy Davis
(below left). Plus, Chef de Cuisine Calvin McCoy
(below right) prepared two roasted pigs. As a bonus,
crew members, including June Perryman, Ray
Kuns, Marbeth Pidbirny and Kim Dunaway (above),
were invited to wear their favorite Hawaiian shirt,
and more than a few got in on the fun.
Rained out
Buffet Appreciation
L’Auberge Casino
Resort Baton Rouge
recently celebrated
Buffet Appreciation
Day to reward
hard-working team
members in the
busy Bon Temps
Buffet. The threehour celebration was
held June 2 in the
L’Auberge Event Center and featured music, prizes and
fun photos. There were prize drawings every half hour
for fun items such as griddles, coffee makers and grill
sets. And every hour someone won a grand prize of highend electronics or a stay at L’Auberge. The restaurant
was recently voted Best Buffet by 225 Magazine, broke
records by
serving 1,952
guests on
Memorial Day
and boiled more
than 3,500
sacks of crawfish
for the popular
Fisherman’s
Keep seafood
promotion.
High Score
Hard Rock Biloxi
held its annual
employee golf
tournament on
June 13 at Grand
Bear Golf Course.
Unfortunately,
the tournament
was rained out
mid-way through,
so a winner was
not determined.
However, the group
of employees had a
great time enjoying
a day out of the
office.
Coushatta Casino Resort
received its highest Net
Promoter Score, a 79.3,
in April. The NPS is a
management tool used to
measure the loyalty that
exists between a company
and its guests. A score of 50
is considered excellent. To
celebrate the achievement, all
active full-time and part-time
associates employed in April
received a coupon for a free meal in the ADR and one
drawing entry to win a $79 Coushatta gift card in May.
In drawings held from 6 a.m. to midnight, 79 gift cards
were given away. Pictured is Tony Broussard, guest
service manager, selecting another winner.
J U LY 2 0 1 7
MISSISSIPPI/LOUISIANA GAMING NEWS
23