Judge rules on casino resort’s right to develop Tullis property in East Biloxi
A judge has affirmed the Mississippi Gaming Commission's decision to allow a casino resort on the former Tullis-Toledano Manor site in East Biloxi.Summary
Circuit Judge Randi Mueller has affirmed the Mississippi Gaming Commission's decision to allow a casino resort on city of Biloxi property in East Biloxi where the historic Tullis-Toledano Manor was located. The Gaming Commission granted site approval in December 2024 to Tullis Gardens Hotel and Casino. The next month, Treasure Bay LLC and the Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association filed a lawsuit to block the development. Mueller concluded the site is legal under laws passed by the Mississippi Legislature after Hurricane Katrina that allow casinos on land rather than water if control of the property extends to the water. Before Katrina, casinos were confined to buildings on the water. The secretary of state still has a lawsuit pending in Chancery Court against the city and Tullis Gardens to block the project. However, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled in another case that the state never owned some of the waterfront land in East Biloxi, which was passed to private owners through the Spanish land grant. Treasure Bay and the association argued the lease was invalid, but Mueller found the city owns the waterfront property and the lease with Tullis Gardens is valid.
(Source：Sunherald)