Posted on: September 27, 2023, 04:11h.
Last updated on: September 27, 2023, 04:11h.
The WaterView Casino & Hotel in Vicksburg, MS recently removed an unexpected visitor spotted near the Mississippi riverboat. Learn more here.
According to local reports, an alligator was spotted in the parking lot of the WaterView Casino, causing a small crowd to gather. Wildlife control swiftly arrived to capture the reptile.
The WaterView Casino is located on the banks of the Mississippi River and has been affected by the recent drought in the area. Experts suggest that the lack of water has made animals, like alligators, more active than usual.
Alligators require freshwater sources, and with many of their preferred shallow bodies of water dried up, they have been searching for areas with sufficient water to prevent heat stroke.
WaterView Casino & Hotel is a popular attraction in Vicksburg. Owned and operated by Foundation Gaming, the resort offers a variety of entertainment options including slot machines, table games, a sportsbook, and hotel accommodations.
Alligator Safely Relocated
Wildlife officials successfully captured and relocated the alligator that visited the WaterView Casino & Hotel. Both the reptile and the resort’s guests were unharmed.
The WaterView Casino is an adults-only establishment, with a minimum age requirement of 21 for all areas of the property.
Based on its size, the alligator was determined to be a younger specimen, as they typically grow about 2-12 inches per year. Alligators can live up to 70 years, much like humans.
Mississippi Gaming Struggles
Mississippi’s gaming revenue has experienced a decline in recent years. In 2021, the state’s commercial casinos reported a gross gaming revenue of $2.66 billion, which dropped to $2.57 billion in 2022, a 3.6% decrease. However, the revenue in 2022 still surpassed the total in 2019, which was approximately $2.2 billion.
The downward trend in gaming revenue has continued in 2023, with a total of $1.67 billion from January to August, compared to $1.73 billion during the same period last year.