Margartiville Casino

Skibo · Post by **Skibo** » May 16, 2007 8:38 am

I haven't seen the details of the agreement, but I would assume that Harrah's is building the casino/resort and has paid Jimmy Buffett for naming rights. They are probably giving him space for store/restraunt. It is a great business decision for both parties. I won't be going even though I have a gambling problem. Just because JB's name is associated with a property doesn't make my odds any better or worse(actually they will probably be worse since odds at theme based casinos are generally worse than basic casinos).

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » May 16, 2007 8:46 am

I don't gamble either but that doesn't stop me from going to Las Vegas. This thing in Biloxi isn't supposed to open for 3 years, who knows what's going to happen between now and 2010. Maybe I'll go and maybe I won't.

What bothers me most about this whole discussion is all the "how can Jimmy be opening a casino" nonsense. He's a businessman. A big company came to him with a business deal. Like any good businessman I'm sure he weighed the pros and cons and decided this deal was right for him. Not only right for him, but an economic shot in the arm for an area of the country that was devasted by Hurricane Katrina and is probably still trying to recover almost 2 years later. There will be jobs during the construction phase, more jobs when the project is up and running, tax revenue from all the new jobs, tax revenue from the businesses, including the casino (because let's face it, a casino isn't going to lose money), increased tourism, revenue from the tourists, even more jobs if it's successful. I don't see the downside.

As for all the self-righteous "he's only in it for the money" comments. He's a performer, he gets paid to perform. When he's wearing his other hat - businessman, entrepeneur, whatever you want to call him - he's not starting a business or investing money to lose money. The idea is to make a profit. If anyone feels differently, I take it all of you do your jobs for free. After all, if you're getting paid doesn't that mean you're in it for the money?

TommyBahama · Post by **TommyBahama** » May 16, 2007 8:51 am

i always thought he would do something like this or a resort hotel w/ a Golf Course of some type....Hey Hooters did it!!!

Indiana Jolly Mon · Post by **Indiana Jolly Mon** » May 16, 2007 8:52 am

My question is Harrah's has sold to two private investment firms that take over later this year or early next year, so is the new group taking it over or will it be JB and another group of investors? Maybe he will sell stock to all us parrotheads and we can all be casino owners

chippewa · Post by **chippewa** » May 16, 2007 8:59 am

I haven't read many details, but I hope Jimmy retains some sort of control over the project, not just lending his name. Radio Margaritaville joined up with Sirius, and the quality went south, IMHO. Same with Outback controlling the CIP restaurants. He's a proven businessman, keep him on board with the decision making.

flipflopgirl · Post by **flipflopgirl** » May 16, 2007 9:24 am

LIPH wrote:I don't gamble either but that doesn't stop me from going to Las Vegas. This thing in Biloxi isn't supposed to open for 3 years, who knows what's going to happen between now and 2010. Maybe I'll go and maybe I won't.

What bothers me most about this whole discussion is all the "how can Jimmy be opening a casino" nonsense. He's a businessman. A big company came to him with a business deal. Like any good businessman I'm sure he weighed the pros and cons and decided this deal was right for him. Not only right for him, but an economic shot in the arm for an area of the country that was devasted by Hurricane Katrina and is probably still trying to recover almost 2 years later. There will be jobs during the construction phase, more jobs when the project is up and running, tax revenue from all the new jobs, tax revenue from the businesses, including the casino (because let's face it, a casino isn't going to lose money), increased tourism, revenue from the tourists, even more jobs if it's successful. I don't see the downside.

As for all the self-righteous "he's only in it for the money" comments. He's a performer, he gets paid to perform. When he's wearing his other hat - businessman, entrepeneur, whatever you want to call him - he's not starting a business or investing money to lose money. The idea is to make a profit. If anyone feels differently, I take it all of you do your jobs for free. After all, if you're getting paid doesn't that mean you're in it for the money?

Larry you pretty much took the words right out of my mouth!

Jimmy is a Gulf Coast boy! Like you said i think it will help that area for a long time to come! We have all heard Jimmy mention helping get the Gulf Coast back in shape NUMEROUS times at concerts since the devestation of Katrina!

and I am in it for the money when i go to my job! i sure as heck am not putting up with some of the BS i do for free!

Demerara · Post by **Demerara** » May 16, 2007 9:28 am

LIPH wrote:He's a businessman.

He used to be a musician.

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » May 16, 2007 9:31 am

Demerara wrote:
LIPH wrote:He's a businessman.
He used to be a musician.

And if you read my entire post you'd see I also said he was a performer. It's possible to be both.

Demerara · Post by **Demerara** » May 16, 2007 9:47 am

LIPH wrote:
Demerara wrote:
LIPH wrote:He's a businessman.
He used to be a musician.
And if you read my entire post you'd see I also said he was a performer. It's possible to be both.

I did read it and I don't dispute what you say, LIPH. I just liked him better when he was less of a businessman and more of a performer.

PA PAR8 HED · Post by **PA PAR8 HED** » May 16, 2007 9:51 am

My feeling is that he only helps the region's recovery long-term if he stays involved. I'm unlikely to visit just to see the building or eat in another Margaritaville.

But for the chance to go down to the Gulf for a week, see Jimmy perform a few times (ideally mixing up the set list and band every night), maybe a little golf in the afternoons...I'd book that vacation!

horseyparrot · Post by **horseyparrot** » May 16, 2007 9:51 am

IMO JB can do whatever he wants. He IS a businessman, which by the way is the ONLY reason he's still a performer after all these years. And I would probably have done the same darn thing if someone came to me with an offer like that. No matter how much you make, it is only in proportion to your overheads and expenses---i.e. making 800K with expenses of 750K doesn't leave you very well off. None of us do his books, so we don't know what the guy faces. (i'm sure he does fine, but you get my point--it's presumptuous to talk about things we don't know).

I don't like casinos b/c 1) I am an extremely unlucky person and 2) I'm already poor, not going to go somewhere to get even more poor. But you'd have to be rather ostrich-like (head in the sand) to not see how something of that magnitude would bring jobs and revenue to the Biloxi area. So, good for them.

I love him for the music and his books. The rest of it is inconsequential.

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » May 16, 2007 9:59 am

Most of us work at least 25-35 ...sometimes even 40 years in our lives. Some stick with the same job, some have numerous jobs... some change mid way... in any case... we are constantly growing and reaching new goals.

Why is that any different for Jimmy Buffett? He is in a place at the end of his career where touring and living on the road may not have quite the same appeal as it once did. So he in diversifying his portfolio. So what?

He is still touring some... still making records... still entertaining us.... what is the big deal?

I know my husband spent lots of time on the road in his sales job over the past 20 yrs.... and now he doesnt have to... he has planted the seeds... and while he still must work hard some of the time, he works way less than he did and make s4x the money as he did 20 yrs ago.

Other than the amount of zeros....Someone please explain the difference in what we all do and what Mr Buffett is doing....

flipflopgirl · Post by **flipflopgirl** » May 16, 2007 10:02 am

ToplessRideFL wrote:Most of us work at least 25-35 ...sometimes even 40 years in our lives. Some stick with the same job, some have numerous jobs... some change mid way... in any case... we are constantly growing and reaching new goals.

Why is that any different for Jimmy Buffett? He is in a place at the end of his career where touring and living on the road may not have quite the same appeal as it once did. So he in diversifying his portfolio. So what?

He is still touring some... still making records... still entertaining us.... what is the big deal?

I know my husband spent lots of time on the road in his sales job over the past 20 yrs.... and now he doesnt have to... he has planted the seeds... and while he still must work hard some of the time, he works way less than he did and make s4x the money as he did 20 yrs ago.

Other than the amount of zeros....Someone please explain the difference in what we all do and what Mr Buffett is doing....

Again, WELL SAID SUSAN!!!!!! Now i know why i am friends with you!

We almost share a brain!

Skibo · Post by **Skibo** » May 16, 2007 10:06 am

Rationalizing a casino build to create jobs and help the economy is BS. Casinos are a regressive tax on the lower classes. Casinos are far from the remedy of all the town problems. Look at Atlantic City, other than the block closest to the casinos the rest of the city is a cesspool and even around the casinos isn't that impressive.

I am a degenerate gambler and support casino builds but would rather hear them presented to the communities as what they really are. They are a business where the owners are guarenteed to take a percentage of your money when you walk in of that money they get, the government will take its cut and mismanage the funds so the positive impact on the region is minimal.

I say good for Harrah's for attaching their name to a popular theme and good for JB for realizing another profit potential.

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » May 16, 2007 10:10 am

flipflopgirl wrote:
Again, WELL SAID SUSAN!!!!!! Now i know why i am friends with you! We almost share a brain!

you are making me blush.

I think we have nice brains!

spucketts · Post by **spucketts** » May 16, 2007 10:15 am

Well, this explains all the tour stops in Vegas.....research!

flipflopgirl · Post by **flipflopgirl** » May 16, 2007 10:42 am

ToplessRideFL wrote:
flipflopgirl wrote:
Again, WELL SAID SUSAN!!!!!! Now i know why i am friends with you! We almost share a brain!

you are making me blush.

I think we have nice brains!

Me too!

mjeischen · Post by **mjeischen** » May 16, 2007 10:46 am

This thread is making me laugh my posterior off.

GO JIMMY GO! Put in timeshares and I'll consider buying. Allow me to invest and I'm in.

Migration Michelle · Post by **Migration Michelle** » May 16, 2007 11:46 am

I'm not sure I can even reply to some of these posts...

Last I checked, we all were given our own free will to go wherever we want, play with whomever we choose, spend our money however we see fit.

Just because you are not able to be as FINANCIALLY SUCCESSFUL as Jimmy, don't judge him.

He is spending a lot of money to rebuild a very devasted area. Those of us who live in Hurricane regions understand and appreciate his efforts.

What about Aspen, Anguilla, Tallahassee, all the COUNTLESS venues he plays and donates all the money to different charities?

HE DOES NOT OWE US A THING!!!!!!!!!

He has already given us decades of entertainment, tons of fun times, and many, many ways for us to meet new friends with similar interests.

Go Jimmy...I'll be there with bells on. Could you open one closer to me?

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » May 16, 2007 12:59 pm

Where's the popcorn?