Originally opened in 1994 by ITT Sheraton, this property served as one of Tunica's premier casino destinations for over 25 years before transforming into Tunica Roadhouse and eventually closing in 2020.
The Sheraton Casino Tunica represented a significant chapter in Mississippi's gaming history, operating for over two decades as a cornerstone property in the Tunica Resorts market. Located at 1107 Casino Center Drive in Robinsonville, this property evolved through multiple ownership changes and a complete rebranding before ultimately closing its doors in 2020.
When ITT Sheraton opened the Sheraton Casino and Hotel Tunica in August 1994, it marked the entry of a major international hospitality brand into Mississippi's emerging gaming market. The property was strategically positioned in Casino Center, a concentrated development that would eventually house three major casino properties. For visitors searching for information about Sheraton Casino Tunica today, understanding its transformation and eventual closure provides important context about the changing landscape of regional gaming.
The property operated under the Sheraton banner for 15 years before undergoing a dramatic transformation in 2009. This rebranding reflected both ownership strategies and market positioning changes as Caesars Entertainment sought to differentiate its multiple Tunica properties.
The ownership history of Sheraton Casino Tunica illustrates the complex corporate consolidation that characterized the gaming industry in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Understanding this timeline helps explain the property's eventual transformation and closure.
ITT Sheraton launched the property in 1994 as part of the initial wave of casino development in Tunica County. The 134-suite hotel featured upscale amenities uncommon in the market at that time, with every room including a whirlpool bathtub. The casino floor spanned two levels and offered a traditional gaming experience aligned with Sheraton's hospitality standards.
In 1998, Starwood Hotels acquired ITT Sheraton, but the new parent company had no interest in casino operations. Starwood sold its gaming properties to Park Place Entertainment, a company formed from the merger of Hilton's gaming division and Grand Casinos. This transaction brought Sheraton Tunica under the same ownership as the former Grand Casino Tunica, which would later become Harrah's Tunica.
Park Place Entertainment rebranded itself as Caesars Entertainment, which was subsequently acquired by Harrah's Entertainment in 2004. This merger created a situation where the combined company owned five of Tunica's nine casinos, raising regulatory concerns about market concentration.
To address antitrust concerns, Harrah's divested two properties: the former Harrah's Mardi Gras and Bally's Casino Tunica, selling them to Colony Capital. However, the company retained Sheraton Tunica along with the adjacent Horseshoe Casino, which it had acquired in a separate transaction.
On December 14, 2009, Caesars Entertainment executed a complete rebranding of the property, retiring the Sheraton name and introducing the Tunica Roadhouse concept. This transformation represented a strategic shift in market positioning.
The Roadhouse concept debuted on December 18, 2009, with a dramatically different atmosphere from the traditional Sheraton experience. The property was marketed with the tagline to get wild, targeting a younger, more entertainment-focused demographic. Unique features included a mechanical bull, beer pong tables, and other bar games rarely found in traditional casino environments.
The River Stage Showbar became a centerpiece of the entertainment offerings, while dining options included Range Steakhouse and Bar and the Big Kitchen Buffet. The property maintained its 134 all-suite configuration, preserving the whirlpool bathtubs that had been a signature amenity since opening.
Under the Roadhouse brand, the casino featured 36 table games and more than 1,300 video poker and slot machines distributed across two floors. The riverboat casino license structure, common in Mississippi gaming, shaped the physical layout and operational requirements of the gaming space.
Tunica Resorts, Mississippi emerged as a major gaming destination in the 1990s, attracting major hospitality brands including Sheraton. The Casino Center district became the hub of activity, housing multiple properties within walking distance of each other.
The property underwent significant ownership changes throughout its history, from ITT Sheraton to Starwood, then Park Place Entertainment, and finally Caesars Entertainment. These transitions reflected broader consolidation trends in the regional gaming market.
The property's location in Casino Center provided significant advantages for visitors. Situated at coordinates 34.847180°N, 90.328597°W, the hotel was positioned within walking distance of sister property Horseshoe Casino Tunica and MGM Mirage's Gold Strike Tunica.
Memphis International Airport sat approximately 42 minutes away by car, making the property accessible for fly-in visitors. The location was also within a 10-minute drive of Tunica County River Park and 3.4 kilometers from other major casino properties in the area. The riverfront setting provided scenic views while maintaining convenient access to the concentrated Casino Center district.
Throughout its operation, the property maintained a consistent focus on suite accommodations and guest comfort, even as the branding and theme evolved dramatically.
All 134 rooms were configured as suites with king beds and in-room whirlpool bathtubs. Standard amenities included flat-screen televisions with satellite channels, air conditioning, ironing equipment, in-room safes, and high-speed internet access. The suite configuration provided more space than standard hotel rooms, appealing to guests planning extended stays.
The property housed multiple dining venues including Range Steakhouse and Bar, Big Kitchen Buffet, and the Tunica Roadhouse Diner. An on-site lounge bar provided beverage service, while the River Stage Showbar hosted live entertainment. The 8oz Burger Bar operated adjacent to the property, approximately 200 meters away.
Guest amenities included a fitness center, meeting rooms for business events, and standard hotel services such as daily housekeeping, laundry service, and express check-out. The property featured on-site parking, ATM banking services, and gift shops. A business center accommodated corporate travelers, while connecting rooms served families and groups.
The Tunica Roadhouse story concluded in two phases, reflecting the challenging market conditions facing regional gaming destinations.
On January 26, 2019, the casino portion of the property ceased operations. This closure left only the hotel functioning, a temporary arrangement that proved unsustainable. The decision reflected broader market pressures as gaming options expanded across neighboring states, reducing the competitive advantage that Mississippi properties had enjoyed in previous decades.
The hotel operations ended on January 2, 2020, marking the complete closure of the property. Ownership had transferred to Vici Properties, a real estate investment trust specializing in gaming properties, while Caesars Entertainment held the operating license until closure.
By August 2022, demolition of the property was ongoing and approximately half complete. The removal of this structure represented a significant change to the Casino Center landscape, reducing the concentration of gaming properties in this district.
The closure of Sheraton Casino Tunica, operating as Tunica Roadhouse, reflected broader trends affecting the Tunica gaming market. The property's 26-year operational history spanned the rise and maturation of Mississippi gaming, witnessing both the market's peak and its subsequent challenges from expanded regional competition.
The property's location in Robinsonville, within the Tunica Resorts area, had once represented a significant competitive advantage for drawing visitors from Memphis and surrounding markets. However, the proliferation of gaming options in neighboring states gradually eroded this geographic monopoly, contributing to the difficult decisions that led to the property's closure.
Sheraton Casino Tunica's journey from a premium Sheraton-branded property to the entertainment-focused Tunica Roadhouse, and ultimately to demolition, encapsulates the dynamic nature of regional gaming markets. The property served visitors for over 25 years, adapting to changing ownership structures, market conditions, and consumer preferences.
For those researching the property today, whether for historical interest or travel planning purposes, it's essential to understand that the facility is permanently closed and undergoing demolition. The site at 1107 Casino Center Drive no longer operates as a hotel or casino. Visitors to Tunica Resorts seeking accommodations and gaming should explore the remaining active properties in the market.
The legacy of Sheraton Casino Tunica remains part of Mississippi's gaming history, representing both the optimism of the 1990s casino boom and the market realities that eventually led to consolidation and closures. Its story provides valuable context for understanding the evolution of regional gaming destinations across the United States.
No, the property is permanently closed. The casino closed on January 26, 2019, and the hotel ceased operations on January 2, 2020. Demolition of the property began and was approximately half complete as of August 2022.
The property was rebranded from Sheraton Casino and Hotel Tunica to Tunica Roadhouse Casino and Hotel on December 14, 2009, with the new concept launching on December 18, 2009.
At closure, Vici Properties owned the real estate while Caesars Entertainment held the operating license. The property had previously been owned by ITT Sheraton, Starwood, Park Place Entertainment, and Harrah's Entertainment through various acquisitions.
The property featured 134 suites, all with king beds and whirlpool bathtubs. The all-suite configuration remained consistent throughout the property's operation under both the Sheraton and Roadhouse brands.
The property was located in Casino Center alongside Horseshoe Casino Tunica and Gold Strike Tunica. These properties remain operational and serve visitors to the Tunica Resorts area.
The closure reflected challenging market conditions in the Tunica gaming market, including increased competition from casinos in neighboring states and changing consumer preferences. The property could not maintain profitability in this evolving competitive landscape.
Major operators and stakeholders in the Tunica gaming market
Sister property to the former Sheraton Casino, Horseshoe Tunica remains operational in Casino Center and offers extensive gaming and hospitality amenities under Caesars Entertainment management.
Located in Casino Center near the former Sheraton property, Gold Strike continues to serve the Tunica market with comprehensive gaming, dining, and entertainment options.
Demolition of the former Sheraton Casino Tunica property reached approximately 50 percent completion as the site is cleared for potential future development.
The closure of Tunica Roadhouse Hotel marked another phase in the consolidation of Tunica's gaming market as regional competition intensifies.
The casino portion of Tunica Roadhouse ceased operations as Caesars Entertainment focused resources on remaining properties in the Tunica market.