Having been a wonderful partner and part of our Mississippi Gulf Coast for 10 years now, Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort on Back Bay opened their doors in December 2015. Since then, they have not stopped setting the standard for excellence- not only in Gaming, Dining, Lodging, and Amenities for all their guests, but also as a true community leader in supporting local businesses, charitable outreach, humanitarian causes, and public-health initiatives. At ten years, it is remarkable and incredible that one of our youngest casinos has so readily made its hard-earned way to a solid decade as a luxurious and influential part of our coastal tapestry. This resort, with 300 hotel rooms all featuring modern touches and access to the Garden Oasis Pool (with 24 hour fitness center!) has become the go-to relaxation spot for locals and out of towners alike. Before you even get inside of the building the exciting Lava Links await you. Two 18 hole miniature golf courses complete with waterfalls, footbridges, and even an erupting volcano- all of these things reflect the excitement waiting inside.
The sprawling casino floor gives way effortlesly to table games, slot machines, and a full service sportsbook and bar toward the back. The sleek and modern design feels both top of the line in class and welcoming at the same time. For VIPs the Orchid Room brings private gaming in an elegant setting with the best machines, VIP perks and classy, cozy accommodations. Meanwhile, the VIP Lounge offers exclusivity that you can unwind in with cocktails, light offerings, and a lounge area that offers a vibe remniscent of bars of the 1920s. For dining, you can go to Scarlet’s Steaks & Seafood, where uscaple surf and turf dining is unparalled, or Chopstx Noodle Bar where vietnamese cuisine reigns supreme! Looking for something more light and easy? Under the Oak Cafe is your warm welcome just before the casino floor, where you can get southern style food, a nice tea, or a fresh salad. There’s also Ami Pizza serving wood-fired pizzas, hefty sandwiches, and appetizers with flair.
For Scarlet Pearl, success has never been measured entirely in rooms booked, jackpots won, or awards earned. Over the past decade, the resort has quietly, and sometimes boldly, positioned itself as one of the Gulf Coast’s most active philanthropic forces. Through its “Scarlet Pearl Cares” initiative, the property has supported a wide range of local organizations, from Back Bay Mission and the Mental Health Association of South Mississippi to the Humane Society of South Mississippi, Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence, and many more. Their innovative and revolutionary guest kiosk donation system, which allows visitors to donate leftover slot change directly to local nonprofits, has funneled countless small acts of generosity into major community impact.
Their leadership has extended beyond the Gulf Coast as well. Scarlet Pearl has contributed significant support to humanitarian efforts for Afghan evacuees, relief for Ukrainian civilians, and disaster response drives following major storms. Few companies in the region have demonstrated such a wide-ranging sense of responsibility to both local neighbors and global communities in crisis.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Scarlet Pearl emerged as one of the strongest corporate leaders in Mississippi, offering not only public vaccination access, providing free testing through their on-site clinic, and donating $50,000 to support broader vaccination initiatives, but they also became an extension of the MDES hotline to help those out of work process their applications to help give our coast and state guidance during such a difficult time. This commitment to public health didn’t just help the casino reopen safely, it helped protect the Gulf Coast as a whole.
“For our 10th Anniversary, we’re going to be celebrating it on December 12th and 13th,” says Vicki Haskins, Director of Casino Marketing of Scarlet Pearl, proudly. “On the 12th we have fireworks, they’re going to be over the Back Bay. The public will be able to view these fireworks pretty much anywhere along the coast- you can see them for a couple of miles, but I would say the service lot just on the other side of Lava Links would be a good public viewing spot if they wanted to pull up and view them there. We’ll also have 5x slot point multiplier earlier that day from 11am to 1pm, then we have a hot seat from 5pm to 7pm. We’ve got surprise and delights going on which will be fun. Then, on Saturday we’re going to have our Saturday cash drawing that’s going to go from 2pm to 10pm- it’s extended so we can generate more winners of course. We’ll also have a lady in a champagne dress from 6pm to 8pm right there at the entrance, who’ll be offering cheers to anyone who walks in. We’ll also have little logo cookies out there as well. We’ve got a very nice weekend scheduled and we hope our guests enjoy it.”
The celebration will feature all of the pomp and circumstance the Gulf Coast has come to expect from a premiere resort such as Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort. It’s apparent that they’re going all out to thank their many guests and associates for ten years of unmatched excellence. For those who’ve worked there, it is a well-deserved and hard-earned passing of a milestone- one of what will surely be many more for years to come.
“Celebrating ten years isn’t just about looking back- it’s about recognizing the dedication, trust, and excitement that brought us here. Our guests, partners, and incredible team have turned Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort into a destination defined by energy, integrity, and unforgettable experiences,” says CEO LuAnn Pappas. “We remain deeply grateful for the journey and more excited than ever for what the future holds.”
And the future looks bright. With a decade of growth, philanthropy, and regional leadership behind them, Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort enters its next chapter not only as a premier entertainment destination but as one of the coast’s most trusted, generous, and community-minded institutions. As a true Gulf Coast icon, their impact extends far beyond the gaming floor, so much so that it’s even made its way on to the silver screen with the John Travolta lead film High Rollers (also known as Cash Out 2) using the casino resort as a primary location. Even Hollywood knows that the Scarlet Pearl is a cut above as a luxurious location, whether you’re there to enjoy yourself or shooting a high budget action-thriller for the box office.
Whether you’re a longtime local or an out-of-towner enjoying our beautiful coast on vacation, make it a point to stop in and check out all that will be going on at Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort on December 12th and 13th. Always a brilliant spot with its beautiful modern interior design and unmatched selection of restaurants and gaming options, the Scarlet Pearl will be alight with celebration and ready to welcome you as they honor their past ten years of excellence, and the many remarkable years yet to come.
