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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of, July 20, 2001,
("Employment Agreement") by and between Barden Mississippi Gaming, LLC, a
Mississippi limited liability company d/b/a Fitzgeralds Tunica ("the Company")
and Domenic Mezzetta ("Executive").

                                    RECITALS

A.       The Company and the Executive desire to enter into an Employment
         Agreement, which supersedes any and all other agreements, either oral
         or in writing with respect to the employment of Executive by the
         Company.

B.       The Company and the Executive desire that the Employment Agreement only
         become effective upon the successful completion of the acquisition of
         Fitzgeralds Tunica by the Company ("Acquisition Date")

1.       Terms

         The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive, and Executive hereby
         agrees to serve the Company, on the terms and conditions of the
         Employment Agreement, for a two year period ("Period of Employment")
         commencing on the Acquisition Date (such Period of Employment being
         subject to earlier termination as provided herein). Upon the expiration
         of the Period of Employment, Executive's employment with the Company
         shall cease, unless mutually extended by both parties.

2.       Duties and Services

         During the period(s) of employment, Executive agrees to serve the
         Company as its Vice President and General Manager and in such other
         offices and positions of the Company within his areas of expertise and
         to perform such other reasonable and appropriate duties consistent with
         such position (s) as may be requested of him by the President and Chief
         Executive Officer and /or his designee of the Company, in accordance
         with the terms herein set forth. Excluding periods of personal time off
         to which Executive is entitled, Executive shall devote his full time
         energy and skills to the business and affairs of the Company and to the
         promotion of its interests. The Executive shall perform all such duties
         to the best of his ability and in a diligent manner. Executive may be
         reasonably required to travel outside Tunica, Mississippi from time to
         time. Executive acknowledges and agrees that this Employment is subject
         to the licensing and regulatory control of the Mississippi Gaming
         Control Board and various other state, county and city gaming
         regulatory enforcement agencies (collectively the "Gaming Authorities")
         which may require that Executive be investigated for personal
         suitability and licensing. Executive shall fully cooperate with the
         Gaming Authorities in order that he may obtain all required licenses,
         permits, approvals or findings of suitability required in connection
         with his employment hereunder. Company agrees to pay all reasonable
         costs associated with licensing of Executive.

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3.       Compensation

         (a)   Salary. As compensation for his services hereunder, the Company
               shall pay Executive, during the Period of Employment, an annual
               salary of Two Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($225,000)
               less all applicable federal, state and local taxes, social
               security and other governmental mandated deductions, which shall
               be payable in installments in accordance with the Company's
               compensation schedule as in existence from time to time. On the
               anniversary of the Acquisition Date, the Executive shall receive
               an annual performance review at which time he shall be considered
               for a merit increase in his annual salary.

         (b)   Bonuses. On the anniversary of the Acquisition Date, Executive
               shall be entitled to receive a retention bonus of Twenty Thousand
               Dollars ($20,000), provided the Executive is then employed by the
               Company and in good standing. In addition, Executive shall be
               entitled to such bonuses and other benefits as the Company may
               periodically award in its sole discretion.

         (c)   Fringe Benefits. For such period of time as Executive is employed
               by the Company during the Period of Employment, Executive shall
               receive coverage under the Company's medical insurance program
               (as such program is in effect from time to time) on terms no less
               favorable than those generally made available to the Company's
               executives, shall receive a five hundred dollar ($500) per month
               car allowance, and shall receive a five thousand dollar ($5,000)
               per annum allowance for unreimbursed medical expanses submitted
               in accordance with expense procedures. Nothing contained herein
               shall preclude the Executive from participating in any present or
               future employee benefit plans of the Company, including without
               limitation any 401 (k) plan, profit-sharing plan, savings plan,
               deferred compensation plan and health and accident plan or
               arrangement, if he meets the eligibility requirements therefor.

         (d)   Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to maintain his current PTO
               schedule to be taken at time or times mutually acceptable to
               Executive and the Company, in accordance with the policy in
               effect at the time.

         (e)   Business Expenses. All reasonable travel and other expenses
               incident to the rendering of services by Executive hereunder
               shall be paid by the Company. If any such expenses are paid in
               the first instance by Executive, the Company shall reimburse him
               therefor on presentation of appropriate documentation required by
               the Internal Revenue Code and Regulations or otherwise required
               under the Company policy in connection with such expenses.

4.       Early Termination

         (a)   Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1 hereof, the Executive
               may be terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined herein),
               in which event the period of employment hereunder shall cease and
               terminate and the Company
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               shall have no further obligation or duties under this Employment
               Agreement, except for obligations accrued under Section 3 as of
               the date of termination.

         (b)   Prior to termination for a performance deficiency as described in
               Sections 4(a)(v), (vi), (vii) and (viii), Executive shall be
               given notice of deficiency and thirty (30) days within which to
               cure the same.

         For the purposes of this Employment Agreement ("Cause") shall be deemed
         to exist only upon (i) conviction of a felony (ii) embezzlement or
         misappropriation of funds or property of the Company or any affiliates;
         (iii) failure to obtain and maintain during the period(s) of employment
         all licenses, permits, approvals or findings of suitability with Gaming
         and other Regulatory Authorities approval or finding of suitability;
         (iv) conviction of any criminal or other improper act which could
         result in the suspension or revocation of any such license, permit,
         approval or finding of suitability; (v) Executive's repeated failure to
         comply with any policies or procedures of the Company whether or not
         now in effect (vi) upon the material breach by Executive of this
         Employment Agreement; (vii) excessive absenteeism in accordance with
         Company guidelines on the part of the Executive or (viii) any other
         conduct which has or may reasonably be expected to have a material
         adverse effect on the Company or the business of the Company.

         (c)   In addition, the Period of Employment hereunder shall cease and
               terminate upon the earliest to occur of the following events: (i)
               death of executive, or (ii) the inability of Executive by reason
               of physical or mental disability to continue the proper
               performance of his duties hereunder for a period of sixty (60)
               consecutive days (subject to the requirements of the Americans
               with Disabilities Act and Family Medical Leave Act). Upon the
               occurrence of these events the Company shall continue to pay to
               Executive or his estate, the entire compensation otherwise
               payable to him under Section 3(a) hereof for the lesser of sixty
               (60) days or the remaining Period of Employment and shall have no
               further obligation or duties under this Employment Agreement.

         (d)   In the event that the Executive is discharged by the Company
               other than Cause pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof or is discharged
               by reason of physical or mental disability pursuant to Section
               4(b) hereof, Executive shall have no further obligations or
               duties under this Employment Agreement; provided, however, that
               Executive shall continue to be bound by the provisions of Section
               5 hereof. However, if Executive should die prior to the end of
               such period, the provisions of Section 4(a) hereof shall be
               applicable as though the Executive's employment hereunder had not
               been terminated.

         (e)   This Employment Agreement may be terminated by mutual agreement
               of the Company and the Executive. The terms and conditions of any
               such termination agreement shall be set forth in writing and
               signed by both parties.




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5.)      Confidentiality, Intellectual Property and Non- Competition

         (a)   The Company and Executive acknowledge that the services to be
               performed by Executive under this Employment Agreement are unique
               and extraordinary and, as a result of such employment, Executive
               will be in possession of confidential information, proprietary
               information and trade secrets (collectively, "Confidential
               Information") relating to the business practices of the Company
               and its affilliates, and that these constitute "Trade Secrets"
               under the Mississippi Uniform Trade Secrets Act.

         Trade Secrets Act. The Confidential Information referenced herein
         includes but is not limited to the following which are or were
         developed for the Company by Executive or any other Company employee or
         agent; names end addresses of guests; computer programs; software and
         disks; business plans; analytical techniques and methodology;
         measurement criteria; guest development techniques; market research;
         training manuals and video tapes. Executive agrees that he will not
         disclose or use the Confidential Information, directly or indirectly
         during or after his employment, other than in the performance of his
         duties for the Company.

         (b)   The Company and Executive agree that violation of Executive's
               obligations under Section 5(a) of this Employment Agreement shall
               constitute "misappropriation" of the Company's trade secrets
               under the Mississippi Trade Secrets Act, and the Company's
               remedies for any such violation shall be those set out in the
               said Act.

         (c)   Upon termination of his employment with Company for any reason,
               Executive shall (i) immediately return to the Company all the
               materials delivered to Executive during employment or paid for by
               the Company, including but not limited to, originals, duplicates
               or copies of keys, tools, telephones, pagers, manuals, plans,
               memoranda, reports, systems, procedures, forms, advertising
               materials, office supplies, presentations, flow charts,
               narratives, organization charts and other employment agreements,
               (ii) give to the Company on computer disk and then destroy any
               trade secrets in any physical form, including originals,
               duplicates, or copies to the Company and (iii) give to the
               Company on computer disk and then destroy any trade secrets or
               any other Company Information stored in any computer or
               electronic device owned or used by Executive.


         (d)   All programs, ideas, strategies, approaches, practices or
               inventions created, developed, obtained or conceived of by
               executive during the term hereof by reason of his employment by
               the Company, shall be owned and belong exclusively to the
               Company, provided that they are related in any manner to business
               or that of any of its affiliates. Executive shall (i) promptly
               disclose all such programs ideas, strategies, approaches,
               practices, inventions or business opportunities to the Company
               and (ii) execute and deliver to the Company, without additional
               compensation, such instruments as the Company may require from
               time to time to evidence its ownership of any such terms.


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         (e)   Executive agrees that during the period of employment, he will
               not become a stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent of
               or consultant to any corporation, or member of or consultant to
               any partnership or other entity, or engage in any business as a
               sole proprietor or act as a consultant to any such entity, or
               otherwise engage, directly or indirectly, in any enterprise, in
               each case which competes with or has a vendor relationship with
               any business or activity engaged in, or known by Executive to be
               contemplated to be engaged in, by the Company or any of it's
               affiliates, provided, however, that competition shall not include
               ownership (solely as an investor and without participation in or
               contact with the management of the business) of less than one
               percent of the outstanding shares of stock of any corporation
               engaged in any such business, which shares are regularly traded
               on a national securities exchange or in an over-the-counter
               market. The Company, in its sole discretion, may waive one or
               more of the restrictions set forth in this subsection; however,
               any such waiver must be in writing executed by an authorized
               Company representative, and shall be effective only to the extent
               it is set forth in writing.


         (f)   Executive agrees that for a period of one (1) year in Tunica
               County, Mississippi, should he terminate his employment with the
               Company before the end of the two (2) year period "(Employment
               Period)" he will not become a stockholder, director, officer,
               employee or agent of or consultant to any corporation, or member
               of or consultant to any partnership or other entity or engage in
               any business as a sole proprietor in or act as a consultant to
               any such entity in or otherwise engage, directly or indirectly,
               in any enterprise in each case which competes with or has a
               vendor relationship with any business or activity engaged in, or
               known by Executive to be contemplated to be engaged in, by the
               Company or any of its affiliates, provided, however, that
               competition shall not include the ownership (solely as an
               investor and without any other participation in or contact with
               the management of the business) of less than one percent of the
               outstanding shares of stock of any corporation engaged in any
               such business, which shares are regularly traded on a national
               securities exchange or in an over-the-counter market. Should the
               Executive and the Company or any of it's affiliates mutually
               agree not to renew the Employment Agreement following the initial
               two year term of Employment, the Company shall waive the
               non-compete agreement as set forth in this subsection. The
               Company, in its sole discretion, may waive one or more of the
               restrictions set forth in this subsection; however, any such
               waiver must be in writing executed by an authorized Company
               representative, and shall be effective only to the extent it is
               set forth in writing.

         (g)   Executive further agrees that neither Executive nor any person or
               enterprise controlled by Executive will solicit for employment
               any person employed by the Company or any of its sister
               properties during and within one year following the termination
               of Executive's employment.


         (h)   Unless required by law, Executive shall not disclose the
               existence of this Employment Agreement or the terms and
               conditions hereof to any other person,


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               except to Executive's attorneys, accountants and
               financial/banking institutions who have a need to know.


         (i)   The covenants in this Section 5 on the part of the Executive
               shall be construed as an agreement independent of any other
               provision in this Employment Agreement; and the existence of any
               claim or cause of action of Executive against Company, whether
               predicated on this Employment Agreement or otherwise, shall not
               constitute a defense to the enforcement by Executive of these
               covenants. It is agreed by the parties hereto that if any portion
               of these covenants against solicitation are held to be
               unreasonable, arbitrary or against public policy, the covenants
               herein shall be considered divisible both as to time and scope;
               and each month of the specified period shall be deemed a separate
               period of time, so that the lesser period of time shall remain
               effective so long as the same is not unreasonable, arbitrary, or
               against public policy. The parties hereto agree that, in the
               event any court determines the specified time period to be
               reasonable, arbitrary or against public policy, a lesser time
               period which is determined to be unreasonable, not arbitrary and
               not against public policy may be enforced against Executive. It
               is further agreed by the parties hereto that, in the event of a
               breach or violation or threatened breach or violation by
               Executive of the provisions of this section, the Company shall be
               entitled to obtain injunctive relief from a court of competent
               jurisdiction restraining the activities set forth herein in
               breach or violation of this section (without posting a bond
               therefor and upon 24 hours notice to Executive), whether directly
               or indirectly. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting
               Company from pursuing any other remedies available to it by law
               or by this Employment Agreement for breach, violation or
               threatened breach or violation of the provisions of this section,
               including, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation,
               the recovery of damages from Executive or any other person, firm,
               corporation or entity. The provisions of this section shall
               survive any termination of this Employment Agreement for the
               purpose of providing Company with the protection of Covenants of
               Executive provided herein. Executive acknowledges that his
               capabilities and education are such that enforcement of the
               restrictions contained herein shall not prevent him from earning
               a livelihood.

6.       Representations and Warranties

(a)      Executive represents and warrants to Company that his execution,
         delivery and performance of this Employment Agreement will not result
         in or constitute a breach of or conflict with any term, covenant,
         condition, or provision of any commitment, contract, or other agreement
         or instrument, including, without limitation, any other employment
         agreement, to which Executive is or has been a party.

(b)      Executive shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Company for, from,
         and against any and all losses, claims, suits, damages, expenses, or
         liabilities, including court costs and counsel fees, which Company has
         incurred or to which Company may become subject, insofar as such
         losses, claims, suits, damages, expenses, liabilities, costs, or fees,
         arise out of or are based upon any failure of

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               any representation or warranty of Executive in section 6(a)
               hereof to be true and correct when made.

7.      Assignment and Change of Control

        (a)   Executive shall not assign his rights or delegate the performance
              of these obligations hereunder without the prior written consent
              of the Company. Subject to the provisions of the preceding
              sentence, all the terms of this Employment Agreement shall be
              binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties and
              their legal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns.

        (b)   Upon a "Change of Control", the Company may assign this Employment
              Agreement. For this purpose, a "Change of Control" shall mean a
              sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company. Upon the
              occurrence of a Change of Control, Company will pay Employee all
              payments Company would have been obligated to make pursuant to
              Section 3 hereof, based upon a termination date that is six (6)
              months after the date on which the period of employment would have
              expired but for such termination by reason of a Change of Control.

8.      Arbitration

        Any dispute which may arise between the parties hereto shall be
        submitted to binding arbitration in accordance will the Rules of the
        American Arbitration Association; provided that any such dispute shall
        first be submitted to the Board of Directors in an effort to resolve
        such dispute without resort to arbitration, and provided, further, that
        the Board shall have a period of sixty (60) days within which to respond
        to the Executive's submitted dispute, and of the Board of Directors
        fails to respond within said time, or the Executives dispute is not
        resolved, the matter may then be submitted for arbitration.

9.      Notice

        Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given
        hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be delivered in person or
        mailed by prepaid registered or certified mail, return receipt
        requested, addressed to the parties as follows:

        If to the Company:

        Barden Mississippi Gaming, LLC
        C/o Majestic Star Casino
        1 Buffington Harbor Drive
        Gary, Indiana  46406-3000
        Attention: President and Chief Executive Officer


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         if to the Executive:

         Domenic C. Mezzetta
         1441 Old Commerce Road
         Robinsonville, Mississippi 38664

         or to such other addresses as the party shall have furnished in writing
         in accordance with this Section. Such notices or communication shall be
         effective upon delivery in person, and upon actual receipt or three (3)
         days after mailing, whichever is earlier, if delivered by mail.

10.      Breach of Agreement

         Should the Company be in breach of this Employment Agreement and/or it
         be determined that Executive has not been terminated for Cause (the
         position first taken by Company for terminating the contract), then
         this entire Employment Agreement shall be null and void and of no
         further force or effect. Further, Executive shall be entitled to all
         benefits and compensation under the Employment Agreement as well as
         attorney fees and costs incurred in vindicating himself or establishing
         a breach by the Company. Conversely, if the Executive is determined to
         be in breach of this Employment Agreement, the Company shall be
         entitled to costs and attorney fees in validating that breach.

11.      Parties In Interest

         The benefits and obligations of this Employment Agreement shall be
         binding upon and insure to the benefit of Executive, and it shall be
         binding upon and insure to the benefit of the Company, its
         subsidiaries and related entities, as well as any corporation
         succeeding to all or substantially all of the business assets of the
         Company by merger, consolidation, purchase of assets or otherwise.

12.      Entire Agreement

         This Employment Agreement supersedes any and all other agreements,
         either oral or in writing, between the parties hereto with respect to
         the employment of Executive by the Company and contains all of the
         covenants and agreements between the parties with respect to such
         employment in any manner whatsoever. Any modification of this
         Employment Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing signed
         by the party to be charged.

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13.      Governing Law and Venue

         This Agreement is to be governed by and construed in accordance with
         the laws of the State of Mississippi applicable to contracts made and
         to be performed wholly within such State, and without regard to the
         conflicts of laws principles thereof.

14.      Acknowledgement

         Executive acknowledges that he has been given a reasonable period of
         time to study this Agreement before signing it. Executive certifies
         that he has fully read, has received an explanation of, and completely
         understands the terms, nature, and effect of this Agreement and to seek
         the advice of legal counsel. Executive further acknowledges that he is
         executing this Agreement freely, knowingly, and voluntarily and that
         Executive's execution of this Agreement is not the result of any fraud,
         duress, mistake, or undue influence whatsoever. In executing this
         Agreement, Executive does not rely on any inducements, promises, or
         representations by Company other then the terms and conditions of this
         Agreement.

16.      Effective Date

         This Employment Agreement shall become effective on the Acquisition
         Date.


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the date first set forth herein above.

COMPANY:                                EXECUTIVE:
Barden Mississippi Gaming, LLC
d/b/a/ Fitzgeralds Tunica

By: /s/ Michael E. Kelly                By: /s/ Domenic Mezzetta
    ---------------------------             ------------------------------
Michael E. Kelly                        Domenic Mezzetta
Chief Operating Officer