Biloxi City Council Clears Path for Black Marlin Casino with 5-1 Rezoning Vote

The Biloxi City Council voted 5-1 in October 2026 to approve a rezoning resolution that moves RW Development’s Black Marlin Casino project forward on an 11-acre parcel at the intersection of U.S. 90/Beach Boulevard and Veterans Avenue; the address is listed as 1820 Beach Boulevard, and the decision follows earlier action by the Biloxi Planning Commission on the master plan and tree-removal permits.

Under the approved plan the resort will total 119,000 square feet and will contain a 300-room hotel, a 43,800-square-foot casino floor equipped with 1,100 slot machines and 24 table games, a dedicated sportsbook, multiple dining outlets, retail space, and a new Veterans Avenue Pier that extends public access to the waterfront.

Project Specifications and Site Layout

The development occupies the full 11-acre tract and integrates the hotel tower, casino pavilion, and pier into a single master plan that the Planning Commission reviewed before the council meeting; mitigation measures attached to the tree-removal permit require either the planting of 209 new trees on or near the site or a contribution to the city’s tree-replacement fund, ensuring compliance with local landscaping standards.

City records show the rezoning aligns the parcel with the commercial and entertainment uses needed for casino operations under Mississippi law, while the pier component adds a public amenity that connects the property to existing beachfront infrastructure along U.S. 90.

Planning Commission Review and Tree Mitigation

Prior to the council vote the Biloxi Planning Commission granted preliminary approval for both the master plan and the associated tree-removal request; that earlier step established the mitigation requirements that now accompany the rezoning resolution, giving the developer two clear compliance paths for preserving or replacing vegetation on the 11-acre site.

Observers note that the commission’s conditions reflect standard city procedures for large-scale projects along the coast, where tree canopy and stormwater management receive particular attention during permitting.

Council Deliberation and Final Tally

During the October 2026 council session members heard public comments and staff reports before casting the 5-1 vote that enacted the rezoning; the single dissenting vote is recorded in the official minutes, yet the measure advanced with majority support and now proceeds to the next regulatory stage.

The council action does not itself authorize gaming operations; instead it clears a local land-use hurdle that must be satisfied before the Mississippi Gaming Commission conducts its own licensing and suitability review.

Next Regulatory Steps

With the rezoning in place, RW Development will submit the project to the Mississippi Gaming Commission for the required gaming license and site approval; that state-level process examines financial qualifications, operational plans, and compliance with statewide gaming statutes before any casino can open.

City officials have stated that the Veterans Avenue Pier and other public components remain part of the approved master plan, so those elements will be coordinated with the gaming commission’s review of the overall resort footprint.

Conclusion

The 5-1 council vote marks a measurable step forward for the Black Marlin Casino at 1820 Beach Boulevard, moving the 119,000-square-foot resort one stage closer to Mississippi Gaming Commission consideration while incorporating the tree-mitigation conditions already set by the Planning Commission; project documents and meeting records are available through the city’s public portal and through coverage at casino.org.