Casinos in Biloxi Mississippi were heavily damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Webster Franklin, CEO of the Tunica, Miss., Convention and Visitors Bureau, said "It's devastating. It'll take months, if not years, to rebuild."

On Sunday August 28th, The Mississippi Gaming Commission shut down all 12 casinos operating on the Gulf Coast before Katrina hit. The region is the nation's third-largest casino market, after Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The industry employs about 29,000 in the state. Casinos on the Gulf Coast employ about 14,000 people, according to the Mississippi Gaming Commission. The hurricane damage could cost Mississippi some $400,000 to $500,000 a day in lost gambling taxes. Last year, the state's casinos generated $2.7 billion in revenue.

Harrah's in New Orleans sustained little damage and officials expects that the casino will be closed for a mimimum of four weeks.