FIRST ANNUAL
BLAST FROM THE PAST

THEN AND NOW CHIP AND CASINO COLLECTIBLE SHOW

by Christine Marsalis Waters

Raised along the Mississippi River in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s, I was familiar with the illegal gambling clubs and pool halls my father frequented after an eight hour work day to test his skills in poker games and dominos. It seemed perfectly natural for my mother to go inside one of his favorite haunts, sometimes taking my sister and I along, to remind my father he was long overdue in coming home. Usually he came peacefully. This scene was repeated on a frequent basis until I grew up and moved from the state of Mississippi, long before gaming was voted legal. I have often wondered about the illegal gambling clubs and what happened to them.

The “First Annual Blast From the Past--Then and Now Chip and Casino Collectibles Show,” produced by Gulf Coast Shows, Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22, and hosted by the President Casino Broadwater Resort, Biloxi, Mississippi, promises to answer some of my questions about past illegal gaming along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, playland of the South. The President’s fall chip and collectibles show will allow you to talk with men and women from the era of illegal gambling, as well as nationally known chip historians. Casino chips and collectibles will be exhibited for sale and/or for trade. Come join hundreds of collectors along with former club manager Rip Poulos who will be authenticating illegal chips; Verta Lee Swetman, former U.S. Commissioner who issued the warrants to close illegal gambling on the gulf coast; Bill Akeman, Jr., publisher of “Gaming Times Magazine;” and Jerry and Janice O’Neal, nationally known casino chip historians representing the national Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collectors Club.

Make your reservation now for an exciting weekend of chipping and gaming at the President Casino Broadwater Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi. With its 260 acres of ground shaded by ancient live oaks, over 500 guest rooms, convention facilities, 24 hour gaming, marina, President Broadwater Golf Club and resort amenities, the President Casino Broadwater Resort offers a unique combination of relaxing, traditional Southern charm and exciting casino entertainment. Don’t delay--make your reservations today by calling 1-800-THE-PRES and mention the chip show to secure the special rate of $55 per night. For information on displaying, including table availability, contact Gulf Coast Shows, 1-800-991-1760.

See you in November!!!