Covering casino news in Mississippi, from Biloxi to Tunica, on the Gulf Coast and in the Delta along the Mississippi River. Read us at www.jackpotmagazine.com
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Dominick's Food + Spirits is now open at Fitz Casino & Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi
Culinary gem serves American classics, Italian Favorites
By David Grisham
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Ribbon-cutting marks opening. |
“This restaurant isn’t just about great food; it’s about honoring my father’s legacy,” remarked Tony Scudiero during the ceremony. “My father loved four things: family, food, people, and Las Vegas. Dominick’s embodies his passion for hospitality and his dedication to making everyone feel like family.”
Named after Dominick Scudiero, known affectionately as “Scoots,” the restaurant features cherished family recipes, including their famous spaghetti sauce passed down through generations. Photographs of Dominick adorn the walls, alongside memorabilia from his storied career in hospitality spanning over six decades.
The menu at Dominick’s offers a blend of hearty American classics and Italian favorites. For lunch and dinner, guests can indulge in dishes like golden-brown crab cakes served with tangy remoulade, succulent Italian meatballs in marinara sauce, and much, much more. For those seeking a taste of the South, the menu includes Southern fried catfish sandwiches and shrimp and grits, a savory combination of sautéed shrimp over creamy cheddar grits.
During the opening we sampled some of the menu items, including crab cakes, shrimp cocktail, meatballs, baked ziti and a variety of desserts. The delicious crab cakes were crispy on the outside and moist, sweet and tender on the inside. The creamy, tangy remoulade perfectly complemented the golden-fried cakes.
The jumbo shrimp cocktail served included generously sized shrimp, fresh and chilled. The sweet flavor of the shrimp was enhanced by a bold, tangy cocktail sauce that provided just the right amount of kick.
The Italian meatballs were season
ed with fresh herbs and garlic, and were succulent, thanks to being slow-cooked in the restaurant’s rich marinara sauce.
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Samples were delicious! |
ed with fresh herbs and garlic, and were succulent, thanks to being slow-cooked in the restaurant’s rich marinara sauce.
The baked ziti was expertly prepared—served al dente with a rich and flavorful marinara and melted cheeses. It benefited from a gooey, cheesy goodness and a golden-brown crust. Tony said the recipe for the ziti was passed down from his grandmother, Grandma Rose. We also tried the Southwest egg rolls and Buffalo chicken wings, and they were equally impressive.
We sampled a variety of desserts as well, including a memorable lemon cake that was delicate and fresh. Topped with a lemon glaze and lemon zest, it was delightfully zesty.
“We’ve crafted a menu that reflects not only my father’s love for good food, but also his commitment to excellence,” said Tony. “Every dish tells a story, just as my father’s life did.”
In addition to its savory offerings on the lunch and dinner menu, Dominick’s boasts an extensive wine list and has enticing menus for breakfast and brunch. As described on the lunch and dinner menu, the restaurant aims to capture the essence of Dominick Scudiero’s vibrant personality and unwavering hospitality: “Welcome to Dominick’s, where the warm and welcoming spirit of this legendary personality is embodied in every meal we serve and every drink we pour. ‘Cheers’ to you and to Dominick Scudiero, a man who fully lived life with gusto and shared with all his heart! Or, as Dominick would say, ‘Mangia!’”
Dominick’s is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information on Dominick’s Food + Spirits, and to view their complete menu, visit fitzgeraldstunica.com.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Gold Strike Celebrates 25 Years!
TUNICA, Mississippi (Aug. 15, 2019) – Since opening its doors as Circus Circus Tunica on August 29, 1994, Gold Strike Casino Resort has invested more than $175 million into the resort, making it a premier destination in the Mid-South. MGM Resorts International’s north Mississippi gem celebrates its 25th anniversary throughout the month of August with exciting casino promotions, food and beverage specials and headline entertainment.
“We’re proud of the role Gold Strike has played in the Mid-South over the past 25 years and look forward to continuing to lead the way as the region’s top entertainment destination,” said Gold Strike President and COO David Tsai. “We’ve continually transformed the resort with property enhancements including new restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. We were the first to offer sports betting in Mississippi and just opened the $7 million Moneyline Book, Bar & Grill, a fully-integrated sports entertainment experience. Our focus has always been on elevating the guest experience and this anniversary is a testament to our commitment to our customers and community.”
Casino Promotions
For those seeking high-energy gaming action, Gold Strike will be featuring its Birthday Bash Giveaway with $2,500 FREEPLAY® giveaways every Monday through Aug. 26. In addition to the Monday giveaways, the month culminates with a special 25th Anniversary $25,000 FREEPLAY® Giveaway on Thursday, Aug. 29. Guests are invited to celebrate with complimentary cupcakes during the final drawings of the evening, while supplies last.
Restaurant Promotions
Buffet Americana
Buffet Americana, known for having the area’s best seafood, will be featuring a special 25th Anniversary menu on Wednesday, Aug. 28 from 3 – 10 p.m., guests can enjoy unlimited crab legs and prime rib at the discounted price of $25 per person.
Moneyline Book, Bar & Grill
On Thursday, Aug. 29, guests are invited to celebrate 25 years of excellence and the kick-off of SEC football with 25-cent wings and 25-cent draft beers from 4 - 7 p.m. at Gold Strike’s new Moneyline Book, Bar & Grill. There will also be special prize giveaways and live entertainment by DJ Max Victory beginning at 7 p.m. and all-day food and drink specials. The state-of-the-art entertainment and dining venue features more than 60 HD screens including a giant video wall, expansive bar, three-meal dining, sportsbook, VIP lounge and the Mid-South’s first Topgolf Swing Suite.
Entertainment
Recognized as the premier entertainment venue in the Mid-South, Gold Strike has a special selection of entertainers scheduled to perform throughout its 25th anniversary month.
Millennium Theatre
The 800-seat Millennium Theatre will host award-winning American country music singer Easton Corbin on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. when he’ll belt out his signature hits “A Little More Country Than That,” “Roll With It,” “Lovin’ You Is Fun” and “Baby Be My Love Song” from his No. 1 debuting album About To Get Real. Tickets start at $34.95.
STAGE2
Gold Strike’s STAGE2 center bar guests can find lively entertainment accompanied with mouthwatering cocktails all night (and day) long! STAGE2 is located in the center of the casino action and open 24/7 seven days a week. August entertainment schedule includes:
Vegas Stars Thursday, Aug. 15 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, Aug. 16 & 17 9:00 p.m. – 2:30 a.m.
Almost Famous Thursday, Aug. 22 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, Aug. 23 & 24 9:00 p.m. – 2:30 a.m.
Fortag Thursday, Aug. 29 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, Aug. 30 & 31 9:00 p.m. – 2:30 a.m.
Tickets for Easton Corbin and all upcoming headlining entertainers are available at www.goldstrike.com or by calling 888.747.7711.
Monday, April 1, 2019
Southland Gaming Racing becomes Southland Casino Racing
Today marked opening of 40 live table games at facility
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| Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis features live table games. |
The commission approval of the license allows for expanded gaming operations as permitted under the 2018 gaming expansion amendment approved by Arkansas voters.
David Wolf, president and general manager of Southland for Delaware North, said: “Southland is opening up to 40 live table games today, including blackjack, craps and roulette. This new gaming offering has created over 100 jobs here in West Memphis.”
The blackjack, craps and roulette tables are available on both the casino’s first floor and the racing mezzanine’s second floor. Southland has the only “Blaze Roulette” tables in the mid-south region. Blaze roulette tables have an LED lightbox beneath the gaming surface displaying eye-catching animations, game-state prompts and winning numbers.
The license also allows for full-fledged casino operations, including the expansion of slot machines. With 2,050 machines on the casino floor, Southland has the most machines of any casino in the mid-south area.
The launch of table games comes after Delaware North, which owns and operates Southland, in January announced plans for a $250 million expansion of the gaming and entertainment destination to include a new casino complex and high-rise hotel. Construction on the project is expected to begin this summer, with completion of the casino complex and parking garage anticipated about 12 months later and hotel tower about six months after that.
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
The 25th Anniversary of Mississippi Gaming: State's casino success story still being written
Gaming continues to be a good deal for Mississippi
by David GrishamGULFPORT — August 2017 — As the gaming industry celebrates 25 years, the focus is on the future and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. It’s a forward-looking, forward-thinking industry that never sleeps. Perhaps that is why the industry has not only enjoyed explosive growth, but has also overcome natural and manmade disasters, a major recession and increased competition during its first quarter century.
As gaming marks its 25th year in Mississippi, the state’s gaming industry will have generated about $56 billion in gaming revenue, with annual gaming revenues peaking at almost $2.9 billion statewide in 2007. River casinos, including Tunica, Greenville, Vicksburg and Natchez, had their best year in 2006 as casinos on the Gulf Coast were recovering from Hurricane Katrina. River casinos brought in close to $1.7 billion in gaming revenue that year.
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| The Gulf Coast rebounded from Katrina. |
The comeback on the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the costliest natural disaster in the history of the United States, is an amazing story of resiliency. Going from coastal casinos being completely wiped out in 2005 to record-breaking revenue totals in 2007 to another resurgence along the Coast over the past few years is proof that this state’s gaming industry has the vision, leadership and can-do attitude to succeed under the most extreme circumstances. Looking back, it is difficult to grasp how so much could have been accomplished in such a short period of time. Legislative action that allowed land-based casinos along the Mississippi Gulf Coast played a key role, clearing the way for the industry to rebuild and reinvest in the market.
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 and the Great Mississippi River Flood of 2011 posed additional challenges for the industry. National news coverage of “the spill that couldn’t be contained” impacted tourism, and the rising water from the Mississippi River flood in May 2011 forced river casinos to close for the first time ever.
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| The 2011 flood impacted the Tunica, Mississippi, market. |
As the water rose, parking lots were submerged, fish could be seen swimming across the roads going to and from the casinos, and the angle of the ramps leading up to the gaming barges became more severe with each passing day. After the water receded, the cleanup began. The Mighty Mississippi had left a massive amount of mud and debris behind. And, while the river casinos remained closed, gamblers found other places to play. Each disaster presented its own set of distinct challenges, but the gaming industry and its employees answered the call in every instance.
“We are really proud of our gaming operators for their tenaciousness in dealing with the challenges we have had to overcome in Mississippi,” said Michael Bruffey, deputy director of the Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association. “The gaming industry is noted for leading the way in recovery and rebuilding, such as after Hurricane Katrina or the river flooding in the north. Casino employees are also to be commended for their care of their communities.”
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| Gold Strike in Tunica, Mississippi |
Looking at the performance of Mississippi casinos by region since 1994 (the first year revenue was published by region), river casinos have generated more than $30 billion in gaming revenue to date. This compares to more than $24.5 billion for Gulf Coast casinos. This is no surprise considering revenue at river casinos outpaced that of Gulf Coast casinos every year from 1994 to 2013. Since 2014, though, Gulf Coast casinos have held the advantage, enjoying three consecutive years of year-over-year revenue growth while river casinos have experienced four consecutive years of revenue decreases. In fact, 2016 river casino revenue was the lowest recorded since 1994. Unfortunately, it’s a distinction 2016 shares with 2015 and 2014.
Webster Franklin, president and CEO of the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau, said there is a story behind the numbers that can’t be ignored. “To know where we stand today in Mississippi 25 years after the arrival of the gaming industry in the state, one has to understand the changes that have taken place. Every American is now within a three-hours drive of a casino. When gaming first came here it was only available in Mississippi, Nevada and Atlantic City.”
Franklin added that while competition has impacted the Tunica market, so too has the lingering impact of the 2011 flood. “After Katrina, the legislature was keenly aware that we needed to change and allowed casinos on the Coast to build on land. The gaming industry reinvested in the Gulf Coast and it is a remarkable product. After the 2011 flood, the legislature did not convene to allow the industry to redevelop on the protected side of the levee. Considering of the competition and the effects of the river, the legislature needs to allow the industry to redevelop in Tunica County along Highway 61, on the protected side of the levee.”
Franklin said he believes these changes combined with the favorable tax rate of 12 percent would provide the incentives for gaming companies to reinvest and build new and better properties, allowing Tunica to be more competitive.
“It’s important, because Tunica gaming has provided more than $1.7 billion to the Mississippi General Fund and another $800 million locally, and thousands of Mississippians receive $200 million in annual payroll,” Franklin explained. “Gaming has also provided the funding necessary to improve our infrastructure and attract new industry. We would not have Schulz Xtruded Products and Feurer Powertrain (in Tunica County) without the infrastructure gaming has allowed.”
For all of these reasons and more, he said, government leaders should take steps to ensure the success of gaming for the next 25 years. Reprinted from the August 2017 issue of Mississippi Louisiana Gaming News. Access the magazine at this link: MS LA Gaming News
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Rudi Schiffer inducted into Tunica Tourism Hall of Fame
Rudi Schiffer honored upon retirement
Inducted into Tunica Tourism Hall of Fame
By David Grisham |
| Rudi Schiffer |
TUNICA RESORTS — Rudi Schiffer, longtime casino ambassador, radio host and columnist, retired at the end of the year, closing another chapter in his long and colorful life. At the young age of 80, he is now enjoying life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, near lots of casinos and plenty of good fishing. His career was punctuated on Dec. 22 with his induction into the Tunica Tourism & Gaming Hall of Fame.
Webster Franklin, president and CEO of the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau, said about Schiffer’s induction, “It is an honor to welcome him into the Tunica Tourism and Gaming Hall of Fame alongside such Tunica legends Bob McQueen, Mike ‘Mav’ Mavromatis and the late Domenic Mezzetta.
“Since the arrival of the gaming industry to Tunica in 1992,” Franklin continued, “Rudi has been a consistent voice on all that Tunica offers. Via his GoodTimes publication, his Heard it on the River Column in Jackpot! Magazine and his popular GoodTimes Radio Show, Rudi has always been the ‘go to guy’ for information on all there is to see and do in Tunica. His unique, first-hand take on the best gambling, best food and best entertainment that the Tunica market has to offer has been an invaluable service to the millions of visitors he has reached over the past 25 years. For this reason and numerous others, Rudi will always be the true ‘Voice of Tunica’!”
Schiffer received the award from Franklin at a retirement reception at Gold Strike. “This is such and honor and means so much to me,” Schiffer said, as he thanked family and friends in the industry for their support. He shared the award with his son, Michael, a longtime co-host of the show. Dee , his wife, looked on as he called his son up to share the spotlight.
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| Rudi Schiffer interviews Jack Binion. |
Schiffer, a Boston University journalism grad, former AP reporter and PR pro, has covered casinos in Tunica for more than two decades as a columnist, writer and host of the GoodTimes Radio Show, the longest running gaming format show in the country. The program was founded in 1994 by Schiffer as an adjunct to the first Tunica casino newspaper, The GoodTimes News, which he sold before becoming a columnist and contributing writer for Jackpot! Magazine. Jackpot! was founded by Michael and Mary Sunderman and is published by their company, M2 Media Corp.
“Mary and I wish Rudi all the best in his retirement from Jackpot!,” Sunderman said. “We are so thrilled to see Rudi inducted into the Tunica Tourism and Gaming Hall of Fame, an honor he rightly deserves. We first met him in 1994, when we launched Jackpot! Magazine and found out quickly that Rudi was a tough competitor and had great relationships with so many casino executives. It truly was a WIN-WIN-WIN for the casinos, Rudi, and us when we purchased GoodTimes. Together, we grew with Tunica because all us of just wanted to be the best marketing partner for the resorts.”
Through his promotional efforts, not only for the Mississippi casino industry, but also for Tunica County, Schiffer was awarded the first Jeff Piselli Media Support award by the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau and Tunica County Chamber of Commerce in 2004.
The casino-sponsored GoodTimes Show was broadcast continuously for 22 years. Listeners tuned into the show for years for expert gaming advice from John Robison, a slot and video game author, as well as casino news, executive interviews, trivia contests, the Jackpot! Magazine Entertainment Report and, more recently, The Southland Report.
An avid blackjack player, slots fan and self-professed “minnow” at the poker tables, Schiffer was instrumental in helping promote and advance big-money blackjack tournaments in the market from the beginning, working with people in the industry who would become lifelong friends.
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| Schiffer was 2006 WPO Media Champion at Gold Strike. |
“Rudi was here from the start and deserves a lot of credit and recognition for what he has done and helped start,” said Mike Mavromatis, Gold Strike director of player development. Often, in his columns and on the radio, Schiffer would recount his tournament strategy and offer advice.
Readers know that while he did make it to the final table a number of times in those blackjack events, he never claimed the elusive top prize. That said, he has shared stories of many good runs at the tables. As Rudi will tell you, blackjack and tournament blackjack are completely different animals.
His slots strategy has paid off, too, as he has been featured in the “winners section” of Jackpot! a number of times. And Schiffer has had some good fortune in the poker world, as well. In 2006, he squared off against about 60 reporters and poker pros at Gold Strike’s World Poker Open Media Tournament and came away the WPO Media Champion. The minnow beat the whales, got a bracelet, and bragging rights with his final hand - pocket queens.
More importantly through the years, though, has been Schiffer’s relationship with hosts, dealers and the casino employees on the floor. He has always connected with them and would often remind readers to be respectful and to “tip generously.” While his columns would sometimes feature a topical quote, many times from the Quotable Gambler, he always closed with the popular refrain, “LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER!”
Indeed! Let the good times roll, Rudi.
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Mike Mavromatis and Rudi Schiffer at retirement reception. |
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Rudi Schiffer wrote the Heard It On the River column for Jackpot! Magazine for many years. |
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Rudi with Larry Gregory, executive director of the Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association. |
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Mike Schiffer helps his father cut the retirement cake. |
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Rudi receives Hall of Fame honor from Webster Franklin. |
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Rudi celebrated receiving the Jeff Piselli Media Support Award in 2004 with his wife and daughter. |
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Schiffer at World Poker Open Media Tournament |
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Schiffer is known at the tables for his colorful personality. |
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Rudi has been a fixture at cigar events for years. |
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Mike Schiffer co-hosted The GoodTimes Show with his father for years on Memphis radio. |
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Hollywood Casino Tunica has breakfast buffet Tuesdays through Thursdays for 55 cents in Marquee Comp Dollars for folks age 50 and up
It pays to be a senior star with the Senior Stars Breakfast at Hollywood Casino Tunica. If you’re 50 or older, you can enjoy a breakfast buffet every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for 55 cents in Marquee Comp Dollars. This offer is limited to one promotional buffet per day per player account.
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