Rock band KISS plans Casino in Mississippi

While many aging musicians let their golden years fade away in Las Vegas, the US-American rock band KISS really lets it rip.

They plan to open their own casino in Biloxi in the US state of Mississippi in cooperation with the gambling company RAM Group.

Casino opening during the farewell tour

KISS is currently on a farewell tour. A concert at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi is planned for March 15th as part of the tour. But before the concert takes place, singer and guitarist Paul Stanley wants to cut the ribbon on the property on Fifth Street in Biloxi.

The rock band KISS was founded in 1973 by Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Paul “Ace” Frehley. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley had already formed the band Wicked Lester in January 1972 but changed the name when the other band members joined. In the summer of 1973, the band signed their first record deal with Emerald City Records, and in February 1974, the first album “Kiss” was released.

The approximately 10-hectare site of the closed Margaritaville Casino in Biloxi was purchased last year by the gambling and hotel operator RAM Group from Arizona. In 2014, the casino was closed due to a dispute between the casino operator and the landlord.

Now RAM Group wants to revive it in cooperation with Rock & Brews. The Rock & Brews restaurant chain is owned proportionally by Paul Stanley, and Gene Simmons and now wants to expand its business activities to casinos.

Casino with several dozen gaming tables

Tom Moore from the RAM group said about the cooperation:

“They [the band members, author’s note] like the hospitality we have, they call it the southern charm, but they also feel the connection we have with other casinos, and this will be another brand for the casinos.”

A casino with more than 1,000 slot machines and several dozen gaming tables is planned. Also, a hotel with around 300 rooms is to be built, from whose balconies one can enjoy a view over Biloxi Bay.

The RAM Group has already received site approval from the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Now the company is planning to push ahead with the approval process.