25 as Hurricane Andrew obliterated part of Florida and moved into the Gulf of Mexico. Just three weeks after opening, the Isle of Capri and President were closed Aug.
Hurricanes were a threat to Mississippi’s casino industry right from the start. Connelly said he started building the boat months before dockside gambling was approved in Harrison County in March 1992, and without any definite plans on where it would dock. The $17 million, football-field size floating casino was owned by John Connelly, a colorful promoter who worked as a boxer, the Sun Herald noted. President Casino opened in Biloxi two weeks after the Isle of Capri.
