The Mississippi Gaming Commission approved on Wednesday the site and development plans for Emerald Star Casino and Resort, which would be the second casino in Natchez.

The $53 million development will occupy 60 acres south of the Mississippi River bridge and include a barge with 800 slots and 30 table games, an existing 162-room Ramada Inn that will under go renovation and the 15-room Briars bed-and-breakfast inn, said Charles Cato of St. Petersburg, Fla., president of Emerald Star Casino and Resort.

State regulations give the developer six months to show the commission it has financing in place and two years to open the casino, said Larry Gregory, executive director of the commission.

Cato said he expects to have the casino open before the end of the year, provided there are no problems getting the barge in place.

Len Blackwell of Gulfport, chairman of the commission, said he expects the Mississippi gaming model of letting the market determine the number of casinos to show if the Natchez market can support two casinos. Isle of Capri currently operates the only casino there.

Emerald Star Casino is the sixth casino currently being developed in the state. Mississippi already has 29 state-regulated casinos and two operated and regulated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

Blackwell said he attributes the growth of casinos to economic optimism, the modest growth of the state's gaming industry last year, a low state tax rate and stable regulatory environment.