Tunica Casinos Set Reopen Date
The Mississippi Gaming Commission, upon consideration of the amendments to Executive Order 1477 from Governor Tate Reeves allowing certain businesses to reopen, and specifically with the approval of guidelines required by the State Health Officer, the Commission allows that each casino may reopen at its discretion, no sooner than 8:00 a.m. on May 21, 2020.
Download Full ArticleTunica Airport Launches New Air Service Via Ashley Air to Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando and Tampa/St. Pete
The Tunica Airport is bringing back regular scheduled air service to the Tunica destination. The new partnership with Ashley Air and Travel will provide service to the four new markets of Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando and St. Pete/Tampa beginning July 1, 2018.
Download Full ArticleTunica Casinos Support American Cancer Society through 2nd Annual Tunica County Casino Olympics
– Nine casinos are once again joining together to help support the American Cancer Society’s life-saving mission. Casino employees will participate in the inaugural Tunica County Casino Olympics on Thursday, May 17 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tunica Arena & Expo Center.
Download Full ArticleR. Scott Barber Elected Chairman of Tunica Tourism Commission
R. Scott Barber, Regional President of Caesars Mid-South, has been elected Chairman of the Tunica Tourism Commission. The six-member commission serves as the governing board of the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau, which coordinates efforts to market Tunica County, Mississippi, as a premier entertainment and tourism destination.
Download Full ArticleSergiy Derevyanchenko Faces Undefeated Kemahl Russell
Rising middleweight contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko (9-0, 7 KOs) will battle unbeaten Kemahl Russell (10-0, 8 KOs) in the 10-round main event of Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 & BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes Tuesday, March 14 from the Fitz Tunica Casino & Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi.
Download Full ArticleLong time Tunica promoter Rudi Schiffer Inducted into the Tunica Tourism Hall of Fame
The Tunica Convention and Visitors Bureau and Gold Strike Resort Tunica held a reception in honor of Rudi Schiffer and his 25-year career of promoting the Tunica gaming industry since its arrival in 1992. The reception concluded with Mr. Schiffer being awarded the Tunica destination’s highest honor as its newest member of the Tunica Tourism Hall of Fame.
Download Full ArticleAll Tunica Casinos Are Open For Business - No Future Interruption To Service Anticipated
The National Weather Service has revised the crest of the Mississippi River to 41 feet on the Memphis, TN gauge for January 8, 2016. While this level is high with many people affected, we do not anticipate any further interruption of service to Tunica's eight casino properties.
Download Full ArticleTunica Convention and Visitors Bureau Statement on Mississippi River Flood Stage December 30 2015
The safety and security of Tunica guests and employees are the utmost importance and our top-of-mind concern as we monitor the rising Mississippi River water level. While it is fortunate that we have very recent experience from the 2011 Mississippi River level rising to the point that all Tunica casinos had to close, it is unfortunate that we are navigating the potential business closing environmental factors again so soon.
Download Full ArticleTunica CVB Takes Home Awards at Annual Governors Conference on Tourism
The Tunica Convention and Visitors Bureau walked away with three destination tourism awards at the annual awards luncheon of the Mississippi Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
Download Full ArticleGateway To The Blues Museum Opens
The Gateway to the Blues Museum located on the Blues Highway, United States Route 61, in the Mississippi Delta where the Blues began opened today, Thursday, February 19, 2015.
Download Full ArticleTunica National Welcomes Ernest Ross as Teaching Pro
Tunica National Golf & Tennis is pleased to announce the addition of our newest team member, Ernest Ross, as Teaching Professional. Ernest comes to us from the University of Mississippi where he served as the Rebels Head Golf Coach the past ten years.
Download Full ArticleThe Public Relations Department of the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to assist, given ample advance notice, qualified journalists in pursuit of their feature stories and coverage of Tunica. Whether you are a member of the media working on a story about Tunica and would like additional information, or assistance with planning your visit, including available complimentary arrangements, please fill out the questionnaire that follows.
Please note that complimentary arrangements are provided at the discretion of the host business, and are subject to availability. Black-out periods many be experienced throughout the year that may necessitate a press rate, especially at hotels. Please allow at least three weeks advance notice for requests for itinerary assistance.
Looking for story ideas? Explore the many new attractions visitors are discovering in Tunica, one of America’s newest and fastest growing gaming resort destinations. The following are a few ideas to get you started.
Business writers will be intrigued by the incredible success story that Tunica has become. It’s the story of an impoverished Delta farming community that rose from one of the poorest counties in the nation to providing more than 5% of the state of Mississippi’s current budget.
Outdoor recreation is abundant in Tunica. Tunica National is a tournament-level, 18-hole championship course was designed by Mark McCumber and Associates, one of the world’s leading golf course architects. Tennis facilities will include four indoor clay courts and six outdoor courts. In addition, two more championship courses—River Bend Links and The Links at Cottonwoods—offer challenging courses to golf fans. Then there’s “golf with a shotgun,” or sporting clays, at The Willows, one of the finest clay shooting clubs in the nation. To complete the outdoor experience, guided hunting or fishing trips are available, offered by one of several experts who can provide the ultimate adventure.
Travelers interested in the history of the Mississippi Delta region have a full slate of historical museums and sites to visit. Tunica’s history is rich, with deep roots in American music traditions and the fertile soil created by the Mississippi River. Make your first stop in Tunica at the all-new Gateway to the Blues Visitors Center, located at the entrance of the Tunica Resort area along U.S. Highway 61. This new center, housed in an original 1895 train depot, is the beginning to your stay in Tunica. Soon to be the home of the new Gateway to the Blues Museum, the center is the perfect first stop along the Mississippi Blues Trail and the rich musical heritage that can be found in Tunica and the greater Mississippi Delta region.
Then, head to the Tunica RiverPark, a must see historical attraction along the banks of the Mighty Mississippi. The Mississippi River Museum inside the RiverPark allows visitors to see first hand and explore the culture and artifacts of the region’s first residents, Native Americans, and its first tourists, Hernando DeSoto and the Spanish explorers. The convergence of these two cultures helped shape the rich agricultural tradition the region is known for today. History buffs should then make the short journey down Highway 61 to the Town of Tunica for lunch at the Blue & White Restaurant. Established in 1924, the Blue & White was the first full-service Pure Oil gas station in the Mississippi Delta and was a must-stop for those traveling along Highway 61 from small Mississippi communities to the big city of Memphis. Must-see stops in the Town of Tunica are the Tunica Museum, Veterans Memorial Park and the self-guided walking tour around the historic downtown square.
Tunica is right on U.S. Highway 61, popularly called “The Blues Highway,” where a uniquely American music form was born right out of the fertile soil of the Delta’s cotton fields. From Memphis’ Beale Street blues tradition to the historic city of Vicksburg, the Delta Blues grew out of tiny juke joints along Highway 61 where Robert Johnson and dozens of others performed. Today, museums in Tunica as well as in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and Memphis preserve that history in unforgettable, interactive exhibits.
Hernando DeSoto discovers “Rio Grande” the Mississippi River at Leatherman’s Mound in Tunica County.
Chickasaw Cession gives Mississippi Territory to United States.
Treaty of Pontotoc creates 14 northern Mississippi counties including Tunica County.
County opened to settlers, Town of Commerce founded at Commerce Landing.
February 3 – Tunica County was one of ten counties created from Chickasaw Indian territory ceded to the US in 1816. Commerce named as first county seat.
February 15 – Commerce, the first town in Tunica County, was incorporated. With a population of 7,000, Commerce was larger than the city of Memphis in 1839.
Flood washes half of Commerce into the Mississippi River. County Seat is moved to Peyton. After six months County Seat moves back to Commerce into brick courthouse and jail. They remain standing today.
Austin becomes County Seat.
Union army burns Austin except for two houses.
The town of Austin incorporates.
During a flood, the Mississippi River moves two miles west of Austin leaving a giant sandbar that makes steamboat landings impossible.
White Oak Ridge becomes Tunica. Louisville, Texas and New Orleans Railroad comes through Tunica County. EL Harris deeds land to the railroad in exchange for a permanent stop in Tunica. Carnesville changes its name to Dundee.
March 3 – Town of Tunica is incorporated, beating Dundee, Hollywood and Evansville by 65 votes to become County Seat.
Historic Hotel Marie opens in Downtown Tunica.
The total farm population for Tunica County was 670 persons, with a non-farm population of almost 9,000 persons.
Tunica County reported to be one of twenty-five counties in the United States with the lowest per capita income.
Mississippi legislature legalized gaming for the state.
The residents of Tunica County approved gaming without opposition.
The Mississippi River Amusement Corporation filed the first notice of intent to apply for a gaming license in Tunica County.
October 19 – Tunica’s first casino, Splash, opened its doors, at Mhoon Landing.
September 18 – Lady Luck Casino opens at Mhoon Landing.
November 4 – US News & World Report ranks Mississippi number one in the nation for economic recovery from the 1990 recession – they site gaming as the major reason.
November 25 – Harrah’s Casino opens in North Tunica County.
December 6 – President Casino opens at 10:00 a.m., and Bally’s Casino opens at 6:00 p.m., marking the first time two Mississippi casinos have opened on the same day and in the same county.
February 19 – Southern Belle Casino opens.
March 30 – Mississippi legislature establishes Casino Road Fund with Hwy. 61 to be expanded to four lanes.
May 10 – Treasure Bay Casino opens in Tunica.
May 25 – Sam’s Town opens as Tunica’s largest casino to date.
June 6 – Fitzgeralds Casino opens.
July 8 – President Casino closes.
August 1 – Tunica Roadhouse, previously the Sheraton, Casino opens.
August 8 – Hollywood Casino opens.
August 29 – Circus Circus (Gold Strike) opens.
August 31 – Southern Bell closes.
September 5 – Splash Casino welcomes its three millionth visitor.
February 4 – Methodist Clinic opens in North Tunica County.
February 13 – Horseshoe Casino opens.
May 12 – Five-lane Casino Strip Boulevard opens.
June 8 – Tunica County becomes debt-free by setting aside $4 million in escrow.
June 10 – Treasure Bay Casino closes.
October 17 – Tunica County is featured on Good Morning America – Growth of Gaming Industry outside of the state of Nevada.
December 18 – Bally’s Casino re-opens in North Tunica County.
December 30 – Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn and Key West Inn open in Tunica County.
February 15 – Sam’s Town announces a $40 million expansion with convention facilities and 350 new hotel rooms, bringing their total to 860 rooms.
April 8 – Harrah’s Casino opens old Southern Belle—operates two casinos in Tunica.
June 18 – Horseshoe Casino breaks ground on $60 million expansion including Bluesville, Blues & Legends Hall of Fame Museum, a 300 all-suite hotel and parking garage.
June 24 – Grand Casino opens a $450 million facility—the largest in Tunica at 340,000 square feet on 2,200 acres.
July 22 – Fitzgeralds opens a $34 million, 507-room hotel.
September 12 – Hollywood Casino opens 352 new rooms and 15,000 square feet of convention space.
October 22 – Hwy. 61 opens as a four-lane route from Tennessee to Hwy. 304 in Tunica.
January 3 – Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau opens.
February 20 – Grand Casino announces plans for $18 million Cottonwoods to be designed by Hale Irwin—Tunica’s second world-class golf course.
March 6 – Supervisors vote to increase Town of Tunica gaming tax from 3% to 8%.
July 24 – Grand Convention Center opens its 48,000-square-foot facility.
August 15 – Tunica County Museum Committee is formed.
Town of Tunica budget is set at $3 million with a 25% cut in property tax.
August 20 – Gold Strike opens 31-story hotel and entertainment facility, making it the tallest building in Mississippi.
December 4 – Tunica Roadhouse casino opens 140-room all-suite hotel.
May 3 – Blues & Legends Hall of Fame Museum opens in Horseshoe Casino.
August 1 – Tunica County Courthouse completes $1.5 million in renovations, while another $5 million in construction begins on the Tunica County Justice Complex and $1.8 million for Phase I of the Tunica County Recreation facility.
October 15 – Willows Sporting Clay Range opens at Grand Casino.
November 6 – River Bend Links opens a 6,900-yard world-class golf course at Casino Strip.
December 31 – Bluesville Nightclub opens at Horseshoe Casino.
March 26 – Grand Casino opens the $72 million, 600-room Terrance Hotel.
June 15 – U.S. Supreme Court opened door to full broadcast gambling, complete with pictures of bettors at the tables.
July 6 – Tunica CVB opens the Welcome Center and Office Complex on Hwy.61.
July 7 – GW Henderson Recreation Center opens in Tunica.
November 23 – Casino Factory Shoppes opens several retail stores in North Tunica County.
April 8 – Tunica County Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Tunica are accepted as a Mississippi Main Street Community.
August 4 – Tunica Arena and Exposition Center opens in Tunica.
September 12 – Town of Tunica adopts a 0 municipal real property tax and flat-rate water billing system.
October 10 – Horseshoe Casino begins a $40 million expansion.
October 12 – Phase II of the Casino Factory Shoppes opens with an additional 60,000 square feet of retail space.
November 10 – Tunica CVB wins the “Gold Star for Service Award,” the first bureau from the state of Mississippi to win the award in its 17-year history.
January 23 – Tunica County breaks ground on $40 million airport expansion for a 5,500-foot runway by 2003, 7,000-foot runway by the end of the first quarter of 2004.
April 2 – The Tunica County casino industry, Tunica CVB and Premier Transportation of Memphis, TN, join forces to accommodate the millions of guests who visit Tunica by providing a casino shuttle service, Casino Shuttle.
October 29 – Tunica breaks ground on $22 million, 168-acre eco-park, museum and interpretive center, the Tunica RiverPark.
November 14 – MS State Tourism Department announces results from its Motor Coach survey, indicating Tunica as growing destination, with 21,929 tours, bringing a total of 845,568 visitors to Tunica County.
June 30 – Tunica County Museum opened its doors.
April 16 – Lennox Lewis and challenger Mike Tyson chose Tunica for their training camp, in preparation for a match to take place in Memphis, TN.
November 11 – Oliver North is guest speaker for dedication of the new Veteran’s Memorial in Downtown Tunica.
September – Isle of Capri sold to neighboring Sam’s Town. The casino is closed, but the hotel and entertainment center remain open.
October 17 – Tunica County unveils plans for a new museum, park and interpretive center to be constructed on land adjacent to Fitzgeralds Casino. The newest of the County’s reinvestment into it’s future, Tunica RiverPark, will offer people from all walks of life an up-close and personal interaction with the driving force of nature which has shaped and molded so much of this entire country’s history, the Mississippi River.
October 29 – The Mississippi Employment Security releases the latest unemployment figures, ranking Tunica County in a four-way tie for first place with the lowest unemployment rates in the state. Tunica County’s unemployment rate is at an all-time low at 3.1%.
U.S. Census Bureau estimates the population of Tunica County to be 9,575, and increase of 3.8% from the 2000 census.
June 23 – Tunica Queen arrives to dock at the Tunica RiverPark.
June 30 – Tunica Airport opens 5,500-foot runway.
February 17–21 – U.S. Olympic Boxing Team Trials held at Tunica Arena.
March 18 – Tunica RiverPark celebrates their grand opening.
May 18 – Tunica National Golf & Tennis held their grand opening.
August – 7,000-foot expansion completed at Tunica Airport.
January – Tunica Airport announces all-weather capability.
June 2–5 – Tunica Air Races held for first time.
2012 Tunica Annual Report
Over the last 20 years, Tunica has undergone a dramatic transformation that could only be called “The Tunica Miracle.” Historically, our economy relied on agriculture; technological advances and changing economic conditions left widespread unemployment and poverty in their wakes. By the 1980s, Tunica County was one of the poorest counties in the U.S., with the lowest per capita income in Mississippi. And now, 20 years later, the area that Jesse Jackson once called “America’s Ethiopia” has transformed into a true American success story, thanks to citizens who were bold enough to dream big.
Download Full Report2009 Tunica Annual Report
As one of America’s great economic success stories, Tunica County has created a diverse and growing economy from what was one of the country’s most stagnant. New developments, recreational facilities and transportation are keeping Tunica County on the rise and on its way to an even brighter future.
Download Full Report2008 Tunica Annual Report
As one of America’s great economic success stories, Tunica County has created a diverse and growing economy from what was one of the country’s most stagnant. New developments, recreational facilities and transportation are keeping Tunica County on the rise and on its way to an even brighter future.
Download Full Report2007 Tunica Annual Report
Tunica County has now created a diversified economy that lives up to its reputation for being one of America’s great economic success stories. New developments, new recreational facilities and new transportation are keeping Tunica County on the move and at the top.
Download Full Report2006 Tunica Annual Report
Tunica County has now created a diversified economy that lives up to its reputation for being one of America’s great economic success stories. New developments, new recreational facilities and new transportation are keeping Tunica County on the move and at the top.
Download Full Report2005 Tunica Annual Report
Tunica County has now created a diversified economy that lives up to its reputation for being one of America’s great economic success stories. New developments, new recreational facilities and new transportation are keeping Tunica County on the move and at the top.
Download Full Report2004 Tunica Annual Report
Selected as one of the U.S.’s 10 up-and-coming destinations, Tunica is “…well on its way to becoming one of the nation’s premier destinations.”
Download Full ReportPlease contact the Tunica CVB for image requests.
Learn more about doing business, retiring, or making movies in Mississippi.
Official site to find out all the wonderful things the Magnolia state has to offer.
The Official State Web Site of Mississippi.
Provides state income and business tax forms and information.
Includes explore Mississippi, calendar, tourism impact, joining, and contact links.
This site is the official site for Tunica County Government.
Free genealogy and family history online made possible by the USGenWeb Project volunteers.
The goal of the public relations department of the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau is to provide journalists who are developing travel stories about Tunica with media-friendly resources and information.
To make sure we serve you as professionally and efficiently as possible, we have developed a set of guidelines that are intended to help ensure all journalists receive equal and prompt treatment. We want you to have a pleasant experience in working with Tunica, and to get the information you need in an efficient manner.
We appreciate your willingness to follow these guidelines, and we welcome your feedback on other ways we can assist you better.
All journalists will be asked to complete a short application before participating in an organized press tour of Tunica or receiving assistance in planning an individual trip.
All journalists seeking assistance in planning an independent site visit of Tunica are encouraged to give the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau at least three weeks’ notice of their planned visit to Tunica. This is a courtesy we extend to the many private-sector partners (casino hotels, restaurants, attraction managers, event organizers, etc.) who will be working with us to make your trip a success.
Independent journalists will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the nearest airport to Tunica (Memphis International Airport). On press trips, transportation will be provided to and from the Memphis Airport to Tunica, and around Tunica during official press tours.
Accommodations, admissions to attractions and most meals will be provided by the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau and partners on organized press tours. Our public relations staff will attempt to negotiate complimentary or press-rate arrangements for independent writers, although we cannot guarantee success. Arrangements for independent writers will be handled on a case-by-case basis, depending on availability.
No spouses, children or significant others (or pets) may participate in an official organized press tour. Journalists traveling independently often choose to bring friends and/or family members with them. Please be aware that the presence of non-media affiliated guests may make it difficult for us to negotiate complimentary meals, accommodations or admissions. Responsibility for such arrangements and any associated expenses will be the responsibility of the journalist.
The Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau kindly requests that all journalists who work with our public relations staff for assistance in planning a trip or who participate in an organized familiarization trip send the staff at least one original copy of any published article and/or photo that is generated by their visit to Tunica.