After more than three decades of operation, Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Tunica, Mississippi, is preparing to shut its doors permanently. The casino will cease operations on November 9, 2025, at 10 p.m., while the hotel will remain open until November 2 to accommodate final guests and staff transitions.
The closure marks a significant moment in the history of Tunica’s gaming industry, which once boasted over ten casinos and ranked among the top gambling destinations in the United States outside Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Sam’s Town, which opened in 1994 and was the largest of Boyd Gaming’s properties in the region, has been a cornerstone of Tunica’s entertainment landscape since its launch.
Why It’s Closing
According to Boyd Gaming, the decision was driven by long-term economic challenges and a steady decline in market demand across northwest Mississippi.
In a public statement, the company acknowledged that the move was difficult but necessary, citing the closure of several neighboring casinos since 2014 and increased competition from nearby states such as Arkansas, where expanded gambling laws have reshaped visitor traffic to Tunica.
David Strow, Vice President of Corporate Communications for Boyd Gaming, emphasized that the company had made extensive efforts to adapt to changing conditions but ultimately could not overcome the downturn.
Strow said, “Our decision to close Sam’s Town is a result of these market conditions and follows our best efforts to adjust the business to address lower demand.”
Online Casino Gambling Continues To Grow In Mississippi
Despite changes in the local gambling landscape, online Tunica casinos remain accessible through licensed and regulated offshore sites. Online gambling sites have been servicing the state of Mississippi since the early 2000s and have become the most trusted source for many players.
Online casinos are not allowed to operate within the state’s lines according to local gambling laws. However, popular games such as online slots, blackjack, baccarat, and video poker are widely available online.
What’s Next For The Sam’s Town Casino Property?
The property will not be repurposed as a new casino, nor will operations be relocated elsewhere in Mississippi. This leaves Tunica with just five remaining casinos, a stark contrast to its heyday in the mid-1990s.