Mississippi lawmakers have repeatedly blocked legislation to allow gambling on the Pearl River and clear the way for a casino in Jackson. Nevertheless, the Jackson City Council continues to deliberate whether to sell city-owned land to a group of local businesspeople interested in pursuing a casino development.

During the Jackson City Council’s Tuesday (Oct. 6) meeting, councilors considered an ordinance that would authorize Mayor John Horhn to negotiate an option to sell 93 acres of city-owned land located just east of Interstate 55 between Old River Place and Laurel Street. The land is bottomland hardwood acreage, low-lying, fertile land that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describes as “river swamps.”

Horhn is supportive of selling the 93 acres for about $1,200 an acre to LeFleur Development LLC, a group of six local businesspeople who think they could prep the land for a casino resort that could generate $24 million a year in new city tax revenue and create thousands of jobs.

LeFleur Development wants to enter into an agreement with the city for $1,000-$2,000 a year to have the exclusive rights to purchase the 93 acres at a cost of $111,000, or $1,193 per acre. The development team would only move forward with the purchase if it’s able to convince state lawmakers to allow a casino in Jackson.

Currently, Mississippi law limits gambling to riverboats on the Mississippi River and Mississippi Gulf Coast , as well as land-based casinos located just inland from those shores. Legislation to include the Pearl River has repeatedly fallen short in the Mississippi Legislature, most recently in 2025 when House Bill 1879 — the “City of Jackson Revitalization Act” — was tabled.

HB1879 was introduced by six Democrats, with no Republican support. Republicans control both the Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives.

Jackson Council Member Kenneth Stokes, while expressing support for the casino idea, raised concerns about whether the capital city could field enough support in the Legislature to be designated for gambling.

Council Member Ashby Foote pondered whether the city was undervaluing the land. If casinos were greenlit by the legislature, he thinks $1,200 an acre could be a bargain.