A potential casino in Jackson, Mississippi, remains an idea rather than an approved project. Why? The City Council delayed action on a proposed land deal along the Pearl River.
According to details reported by WLBT-TV, council members voted to table Mayor John Horhn’s request to declare roughly 93 acres of city-owned land surplus property and authorize an option-to-sell agreement with LeFleur Development LLC.
“The amount of ad valorem tax, the amount of property tax, that would be generated is going to depend on the development. It could be something very substantial and it could not be. It just depends on what the development is going to be,” Horhn told WLBT.
The group wants to purchase the property for about $111,000 and seek a developer for a resort project approaching $1 billion. A casino could be part of that development, but a mixed-use project is also under consideration.
The council’s decision leaves the proposed agreement unresolved. No new vote date was immediately announced.
Earlier this year, lawmakers in The Magnolia State passed a bill that requires casinos to intercept gambling winnings from non-custodial parents who are behind on child support payments.
Where Would the Development Be Built?
The property lies mainly between Fortification Street and the J.H. Fewell Water Treatment Plant along the Pearl River, near Interstate 55. A small portion extends into Flowood.
Much of the site is wooded bottomland within a FEMA flood hazard area. Jackson has owned the property for more than 40 years, with little development during that time.
Horhn has described the land as “fairly worthless swampland,” arguing that substantial investment would be needed to make it suitable for development.
Two appraisals completed in March 2026 valued the property at $112,000 and $110,000. The proposed purchase price of about $111,000 falls between those estimates.
However, some council members questioned whether the land could become much more valuable if a major development or casino authorization became possible.
What Does the Land Agreement Include?
The proposed agreement would give LeFleur Development time to pursue the project before purchasing the property.
Under the terms described in the reporting, the group would pay $1,000 for an initial option lasting through October 31, 2027. Extensions could keep the option in place through October 31, 2031, at $2,000 per year.
City officials said the agreement includes protections for Jackson. The city could cancel the option before it is exercised, and reverter provisions could return the land to city ownership if development does not occur.
Those provisions are part of the proposed agreement, not evidence that a resort or casino has received approval.
Why Did the Council Delay Action?
Council members wanted more information and additional time to review the proposal.
Their concerns include:
- The sale price.
- Whether Jackson would receive a fair share of the project’s benefits.
- How the city should evaluate competing opportunities for the property.
Members also raised questions about the process. LeFleur Development approached the city with the proposal, and the Surplus Property Committee declared the parcels surplus in August 2026.
The central issue is not simply whether the land has limited value today. Council members also want to consider what it might be worth if its development prospects change.
What Could Jackson Gain by Adding a Casino?
William Richardson of LeFleur Development projected that the proposed development could generate up to $24 million annually in new sales and property taxes for Jackson and create about 2,600 direct jobs.
Those figures are the group’s estimates, not guaranteed results. Actual revenue and employment would depend on the project’s size, features and completion.
The projections come as Jackson faces financial pressure, including reported budget cuts of roughly $26 million to $30 million in 2026.
LeFleur Development’s reported members include Richardson, Conrad Ebner, Robert Gibbs, Richard McNeel and Clarence Chapman. Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour has also advised the group.
How Many Casinos Are in Mississippi?
Mississippi has 29 casinos, including:
- 25 commercial casinos licensed and regulated by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. They're primarily located along the Gulf Coast (about 12, concentrated in Biloxi, Gulfport, Bay St. Louis, and nearby areas) and along the Mississippi River (in places like Tunica, Vicksburg, Greenville, Lula, and Natchez).
- 4 tribal casinos operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (Silver Star and Golden Moon at Pearl River Resort near Philadelphia/Choctaw, plus Bok Homa and Crystal Sky).
The commercial figure of 25 comes from the Mississippi Gaming Commission’s official list of currently licensed operators.
Could Jackson Join Mississippi Casinos?
A land agreement alone would not authorize a casino in Mississippi’s capital.
Mississippi casinos operate in established markets such as Vicksburg and the Gulf Coast, along with tribal casino locations. Bringing casino gambling to Jackson would likely require state legislation.
That creates a separate challenge from securing the property or finding a developer. A proposal could face resistance in the Legislature or from existing casino markets.
Jackson has considered casino development before. Last year, Representative Chris Bell called his proposal "The city of Jackson Revitalization Act. "It's not just a piece of legislation that says, 'We're going to build a casino," Bell said. He added that he would like his plan to fuel other development in the area, along with a casino.
Another proposal known as “Xanadu” failed in the mid-1990s, showing that interest in a capital-city casino does not necessarily lead to approval.
Horhn has emphasized that a casino resort is only one possibility for the Pearl River site. A mixed-use development remains an alternative.
For now, there is no approved casino in Jackson, Mississippi, tied to this proposal. The next step is further council consideration of the land agreement, while any casino component would face additional state-level hurdles.
