State officials say they expect the dollar signs to keep rising.
Casinos are the industry's backbone.
Thirty-five percent of the people who visit Mississippi come here for the gaming experience. About 75 percent of casino visitors are from other states, and most of last year's 56 million gamblers either visited casinos on the Gulf Coast or in Tunica, according to the Tourism Development Division. The two areas attract large numbers of tourists because of each location's closeness to urban areas and large airports, Bourland said. Bourland said customers who travel longer distances to resorts tend to staylonger and thus spend more money. While gambling may be the ace in Mississippi's hospitality industry, officials say a combination of factors make the state a worthwhile destination.