The Mississippi Gulf Coast — Biloxi, Gulfport, and D'Iberville — has a dozen casinos competing for a regional player base from New Orleans, Mobile, and the wider South. That competition keeps pay tables significantly better than what you'd find in many one-casino markets. For video poker players, Biloxi is one of the strongest regional markets in the country.
Why Biloxi Works for Video Poker
Mississippi has no state income tax on gambling winnings (the IRS still taxes them federally). Combined with competitive pay tables and low cost of living, this makes Biloxi attractive for both visitors and regular players.
The Gulf Coast market has three tiers of properties:
Tier 1 (best pay tables, strongest loyalty programs):
- Beau Rivage (MGM Rewards)
- IP Casino (Boyd Gaming / B Connected)
Tier 2 (solid options, slightly tighter):
- Hard Rock Biloxi
- Scarlet Pearl (D'Iberville)
- Palace Casino (smoke-free)
Tier 3 (less competitive for VP):
- Treasure Bay, Golden Nugget Biloxi, and smaller properties
Property Breakdown
Beau Rivage
MGM's flagship Gulf Coast property and the largest casino in Mississippi. The high-limit room typically offers 9/6 Jacks or Better and 9/6 Double Double Bonus at $1 and $5 denominations. The main floor has competitive Bonus Poker at quarter and half-dollar levels.
As an MGM Rewards property, your play here counts toward the same tier status used at Bellagio, MGM Grand, and other MGM properties nationwide. This makes Beau Rivage a strategic choice if you also play in Las Vegas.
IP Casino Resort Spa
Boyd Gaming's Gulf Coast property and a favorite among regular players. Boyd's B Connected program offers some of the best comp value in the industry, and IP carries that tradition. The video poker floor has reliable pay tables at lower denominations — you can often find 9/6 Jacks or Better at quarters, which is uncommon at major resorts.
The food comps at IP are generous relative to play level, making it an efficient choice for players who value total return over raw pay table numbers.
Hard Rock Biloxi
Caters to a younger, more entertainment-focused crowd, but the video poker section is solid. Look for 8/5 Bonus Poker (99.17%) at the bar and in the main gaming area. The high-limit room occasionally has better options.
Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort
Located in D'Iberville (just north of Biloxi), Scarlet Pearl is newer and has modern machine hardware. They offer several multi-game terminals with Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Double Bonus variants. The property compensates for its off-beach location with competitive promotions.
Palace Casino Resort
The only smoke-free casino on the Gulf Coast — a significant draw for players who want to avoid smoke during extended sessions. Pay tables are stable, typically 8/5 to 9/6 on Jacks or Better. The environment is quieter and more focused than the beach-front mega-resorts.
Strategy for Gulf Coast Trips
Walk before you sit. Pay tables vary not just between casinos but between sections of the same casino. The bar-top machines may have different pay tables than the main floor, and the high-limit room may have different tables than both.
Use your card at every property. If you're visiting multiple casinos during a trip, maintain accounts at each one. The annual Win/Loss statements from multiple properties help with tax documentation.
Check for promotions before playing. Gulf Coast casinos run frequent point multiplier events, especially midweek. A 5x multiplier at Beau Rivage on a Tuesday can turn a near-break-even session into a profitable one when you factor in the extra cashback.
Consider the total package. Room rates on the Gulf Coast are much lower than Las Vegas. A $50-80/night comp room paired with 99.5% pay tables and free drinks makes the total value proposition very strong for a weekend trip.