It’s the smell. Or, more accurately, the lack of it. If you’ve spent any time on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, you know the drill: you walk into a casino and your lungs immediately tighten against a thick wall of stale tobacco. But the Palace Casino Mississippi did something back in 2011 that most people thought was corporate suicide. They went smoke-free. Completely. No "designated smoking areas" that leak into the hallways, just clean air.
People laughed. Competitors waited for them to go under. Instead, the Palace became a cult favorite in Biloxi.
Walking onto the floor today, you realize it’s not just about the air quality, though that’s a massive perk for anyone who doesn't want to dry clean their clothes after a night of blackjack. It’s about the vibe. The Palace sits right on the edge of the Biloxi Back Bay, tucked away from the main Highway 90 drag where the Beau Rivage and Hard Rock battle for attention. It feels different. It’s a bit more "locals secret" and a lot less "tourist trap."
The Smoke-Free Gamble That Actually Paid Off
Biloxi has a long, gritty history with gambling, stretching back to the wide-open "Coast" days before Hurricane Camille. When the modern era of dockside gaming kicked off in the 90s, the Palace was right there. But it struggled to find an identity for years. It was the "other" casino. Then came the $45 million renovation and the decision to ban smoking indoors.
In the gaming world, that’s usually a death sentence. Gamblers, traditionally, like to puff while they play. But the Palace Casino Mississippi bet on a different demographic: the people who were tired of the hazy basements.
They won that bet.
The casino floor is roughly 38,000 square feet. It’s not the biggest in town—not by a long shot—but it’s laid out in a way that doesn't feel like a claustrophobic maze. You’ve got about 750 slots and a solid mix of table games. Honestly, the table minimums here are often more forgiving than what you’ll find at the massive resorts down the street. It’s one of the few places left where a casual player can sit down and not feel like they’re being squeezed for every cent in twenty minutes.
Eating Your Way Through the Back Bay
If you aren't there for the slots, you’re probably there for the food. Specifically, Mignon’s Steaks & Seafood.
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Now, look, every casino in Mississippi has a "high-end" steakhouse. Most of them are fine. Some are overpriced versions of what you’d get at a chain. Mignon’s is a consistent Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner, and they don't just put that on the door for show. The wine list is legitimately deep. If you go, skip the standard stuff and look at their seasonal features. The chefs there have a weird amount of freedom compared to the corporate kitchens at the bigger resorts.
Then there’s the Palace Buffet.
Buffets in Biloxi are a contentious topic. Everyone has their favorite. The Palace Buffet usually ranks near the top because they use live cooking stations. You aren't just scooping mystery meat out of a tray that's been sitting under a heat lamp since noon. You can actually watch them grill your steak or toss your pasta. It makes a difference. Is it five-star dining? No. It’s a buffet. But for a casino spread, it’s remarkably fresh.
The Stack Grill and 24-Hour Reality
Sometimes you just want a burger at 3:00 AM. The Stack Grill handles that. It’s basic, it’s greasy in the right ways, and it’s reliable.
- Mignon’s: Fancy, expensive, great for anniversaries.
- Palace Buffet: The heavy hitter for variety.
- Stack Grill: The "I just lost my lunch money but I’m hungry" option.
- Wahoo’s Pool & Bar: This is where you go in the summer to pretend you're in the Caribbean instead of a few miles from an industrial shipyard.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Hotel
The hotel at the Palace Casino Mississippi is a four-diamond rated property. A lot of people assume that because the casino is "boutique" (which is just a fancy word for small), the rooms will be cramped. They aren't.
They did a massive overhaul of the 236 rooms, and they feel significantly more modern than some of the older towers in Biloxi. If you can snag a room facing the Back Bay, do it. The view of the sunset over the bridge is better than the view of the Gulf, mostly because the Back Bay feels more alive with the shrimp boats and the local traffic.
One thing to keep in mind: because it’s a smaller hotel, it fills up fast. Especially during Cruisin’ The Coast or any major fishing tournament. If you try to book a week out during a big event, you’re going to get hit with a "sold out" screen or a price tag that’ll make your eyes water.
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The Player's Club and the "Local" Edge
If you’re going to spend more than an hour here, just get the Palace Rewards Club card. Seriously.
The Palace is known for being aggressive with their promotions because they have to compete with the giants. They do a lot of "Direct Bet" instead of traditional "Free Play," which basically means you get one shot to win with the house's money, and if you win, the cash is yours. They also have a surprisingly good app that tracks your points in real-time.
They don't have a massive poker room anymore—which is a bummer for the grinders—but their table game pit is lively. The dealers here actually talk to you. In the mega-casinos, the dealers can sometimes feel like robots. At the Palace, they’re usually locals who have been there for a decade and know the best place to get a po-boy in Ocean Springs.
The Marina and the "Other" Side of Biloxi
One of the coolest features of the Palace Casino Mississippi is its marina. Most people forget Biloxi is a peninsula. The Palace sits on the tip of it, right where the Biloxi River meets the Gulf.
If you have a boat, you can actually dock it right there and walk into the casino. It adds this weird, maritime vibe that the land-locked casinos just can’t replicate. You’ll see charter boat captains grabbing coffee at the cafe and high-rollers stepping off yachts. It’s a strange, wonderful mix of Mississippi culture.
Real Talk: The Limitations
I’m not going to tell you it’s perfect. It’s not.
If you want the "Vegas" experience—the massive nightclubs, the world-famous DJs, the sprawling shopping malls—the Palace isn't going to give you that. It’s a smaller footprint. The nightlife is centered around the bars and the lounge, not a dance floor with a $50 cover charge.
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Also, the location. Since it’s tucked away in East Biloxi, you aren't really within walking distance of other casinos. If you stay at the Palace, you’re either staying there for the night or you’re calling an Uber to get to the "Strip."
But for a lot of people, that’s the draw. It’s quiet. It’s clean. You don't leave smelling like an ashtray.
Navigating Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip to the Palace Casino Mississippi, there are a few tactical things you should know to maximize the experience.
First, check the schedule for the Preserve Golf Club. It’s the Palace's sister property, located a few miles inland in Vancleave. It was designed by Jerry Pate and it’s consistently ranked as one of the best courses in the state. If you stay at the hotel, they usually have "Stay and Play" packages that make the greens fees a lot more digestible. The course is built on a 245-acre nature preserve, so you aren't looking at houses; you’re looking at pitcher plants and longleaf pines.
Second, the spa. The Pure The Spa is small, but it’s high-quality. If you aren't a gambler, this is where you spend your time. They do a Vichy shower treatment that is honestly one of the better spa experiences on the Coast.
Actionable Tips for a Better Trip
- Join the Club Immediately: Don't put a single dollar in a machine until you have your rewards card. They often have "new member" bonuses that give you a decent chunk of change just for signing up.
- Weekday Stays: If you can swing a Tuesday or Wednesday, the room rates drop significantly, and you’ll have the buffet to yourself.
- The Smoke-Free Advantage: Even if you smoke, consider staying here for the room quality and then just walking outside to the designated areas. Your sleep quality will be 100% better without the lingering scent of smoke in the carpets.
- Explore Ocean Springs: The Palace is just a quick hop across the bridge from Ocean Springs, which is the "artsy" town next door. It’s a great way to break up a gambling trip with some local boutiques and craft beer.
- Watch the Tides: If you’re using the marina, keep an eye on the Back Bay currents. They can be tricky for newcomers.
The Palace Casino Mississippi succeeded by doing the one thing everyone told them not to do. They carved out a niche for the health-conscious, the local-minded, and the people who just want to play some cards without a headache. It’s a testament to the idea that you don't have to be the biggest player on the Coast to be the most interesting one.
When you head out, make sure to take the "scenic route" back through East Biloxi. You’ll see the old cannery sites and the historic homes that survived the storms. It puts the whole experience into perspective. You aren't just at a casino; you're at a landmark that helped redefine what the modern Mississippi Gulf Coast looks like.