This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

THE SEA COAST ECHO • HANCOCK TODAY
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2000
Casino Magic Bay St. Louis has bright future
Eight years have flown by with a blink of an eye for many Casino Magic Bay St. Louis employees. Just ask Sandy Gonsalez, a Hancock County resident and employee, who has been with Casino Magic since it opened.
Gonsalez started as a floorper-son in 1992, and is now a pit manager. With over 1,200 employees, Casino Magic Bay St. Louis has retained more original employees than any other Coast casino.
"One of the reasons I've stayed with Casino Magic (Bay St. Louis) is because the people are friendly here and the company is very employee-oriented," she said.
Casino Magic Bay St. Louis is on the verge of celebrating its eight-year anniversary in the gaming industry and in Hancock County September 30.
The first barge-concept casino in the world is currently in the process of being sold. Many employees, such as Sandy, see it as inevitable progress in a competitive market and feel the casino has much to celebrate now
and in the future.
In October 1998, Hollywood Park (now called Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.) acquired
Argentina.
Currently, Pinnacle is the process of negotiating the sale of Casino Magic Bay St. Louis and
Casino Magic Corp., including all Casino Magic properties - one in Bossier City, La.; one in Biloxi and one in Bay St. Louis. It also acquired majority owner and operator of two Magic casinos in
its Boomtown property on Biloxi s Back Bay to Penn National Gaming, Inc. Penn has repeatedly said that their intentions are to immediately focus on the Bay St. Louis property.
"The future holds a opportunity for Casino ] Penn National Gaming h, capital to expand this propi its fullest potential whic ensure our continued succ the Coast's competitive g industry," said Todd Ra assistant general manager.
"We already have a entertainment venue a world-class golf course, an we're going to have a firs luxury hotel with addi amenities to complete the resort. We're excited tha (Penn) are excited about de ing the property," he said.
The casino's 22,500 squa entertainment facility v
2,500-3,000 person capacit; the casino the opportun bring in major concerts si Wayne Newton, Tom Jone Rawls. Hootie and the Bit Merle Haggard, Tim M and Faith Hill, as well i boxing matches and other < In fact, Casino Magic E Louis is so well known
CONTINUED, PA