Gambling on the Mississippi -- Move over Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Gamblers craving glitzy surroundings to go with their games of chance have a new option at the north end of the Mississippi Delta. Just south of Memphis, across the Mississippi state line, casinos are sprouting like cotton plants in the spring. In fact, these casinos are being built in the middle of the delta's cotton fields, rapidly replacing the region's white gold as the biggest business this neck of the delta has seen since cotton was king. For Midwestern and Southern gamblers, these Las Vegas-style casinos are an irresistible magnet. No longer is it necessary to make the long trip to Las Vegas or Atlantic City in order to play poker or roulette.
Back in the heyday of paddle-wheelers on the Mississippi, showboats and gamblers cruised the river, entertaining the masses and providing games of chance for those who felt lucky. In recent years, those days have returned to the Mississippi River as riverboats and floating casinos have opened in states bordering Tennessee. You still won't find any blackjack tables in God-fearing Tennessee, but you don't have to drive very far for a bit of Vegas-style action.
The nearest casinos are about 20 miles (32km) from downtown Memphis near the town of Robinsonville, Mississippi, while others are about 35 miles (56km) south of Memphis near Tunica, Mississippi. From Memphis, take either Tenn. 61 or I-55 south. If you take the interstate, get off at either the Miss. 304 exit or the Miss. 4 exit, and head west to the river, watching for signs as you drive.
Twelve miles (19km) south of the Mississippi state line, off U.S. 61 near the town of Robinsonville, you'll find Goldstrike Casino, 1010 Casino Center Dr. (tel. 888-24K-PLAY or 866-245-7511), and Sheraton Casino, 1107 Casino Center Dr. (tel. 800/391-3777 or 662/363-4900). Continuing south on U.S. 61 and then west on Miss. 304, you come to Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, 1477 Casino Strip Blvd. (tel. 800/456-0711 or 662/363-0711); Fitzgerald's Casino, 711 Lucky Lane (tel. 800/766-LUCK or 662/363-5825); Hollywood Casino, 1150 Commerce Landing (tel. 800/871-0711 or 662/357-7700); and Harrah's, 1100 Casino Strip Blvd. (tel. 800/HARRAHS or 662/363-7777). Continuing south on U.S. 61 to Tunica and then heading west on either Mhoon Landing Road or Miss. 4, you'll come to Bally's Saloon and Gambling Hall, 1450 Bally's Blvd. (tel. 800/38-BALLY).
Besides the casinos, the area also offers outlet mall shopping, golf, spas, and other activities. For more information, go to www.tunicamiss.com.
