GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi Gulf Coast casino has become one of many businesses nationwide to sue its insurer for refusing to cover business losses because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Island View Casino Resort in Gulfport contends in the federal lawsuit that its insurer owes it $10 million for business losses caused by a 65-day COVID-19 shutdown in the spring.

Isle Casino&hotel Biloxi

Island Views Own World Foods Champion Chef Jackie’s. Hotels and restaurants. Prime Cut Beach View Tower 3215 W Beach Blvd Gulfport, MS 39501. Island View Casino Resort is a premier destination on the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast with two casinos – one smoke-free and right on the beach! Together they offer guests over 2,600 state-of-the-art slots and 49 table games included in 126,000-plus-square-feet of gaming space. There are also two sports books, one in each casino. Hotels near Island View Casino Resort, Gulfport on Tripadvisor: Find 6,900 traveler reviews, 2,349 candid photos, and prices for 158 hotels near Island View Casino Resort in Gulfport, MS.

Gulfside Casino Partnership, Island View’s owner, is also demanding $90 million in punitive damages, attorney’s fees and interest.

The Sun Herald reports Island View says it lost $46.2 million in revenue when it was closed from March 16 until May 21 under orders from the Mississippi Gaming Commission. However, its policy only covers up to $10 million.

The lawsuit alleges breach of contract and negligence against Georgia-based Westchester Surplus Lines Insurance Co., which parceled out shares of the risk to nine other insurers.

Gulfport attorney Joe Sam Owen, who represents the partnership, said legal disputes over COVID-19 insurance claims generally have boiled down to the definition of “physical damage.”

Insurance companies argue the property must suffer actual physical damage, as it would in a hurricane, to recover losses under their policies.

But the casino says its policy specifically covers losses caused by canceled bookings, or the inability to accept bookings, caused by “a contagious or infectious disease at an insured location, as determined by a public or civil authority,” and that the loss is covered “whether or not physical damage occurs to the property.”

The cancellation coverage costs Island View an annual premium of $408,268.

An insurance adjusting firm assigned to the claim, Crawford Global Technical Services, wrote in a July letter to Island View: “As a general matter, the policies afford coverage only when there has been direct physical loss, damage or destruction. In the absence of such damage, there is not coverage.”

Pollutants and contaminants, including viruses, are listed in an underlying policy as being excluded from coverage, the letter said. It also said other policy language states that “communicable disease” is not covered.

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The Beach Blvd. Market opened in June of 2016 in Gulfport. We are located on the front lawn of the Island View Casino Resort on 33^rd Avenue. We feature crafts, art, and food – all produced by local vendors. You will find unique items in jewelry, personal care products, accessories and art. We also offer a wide variety of food items, such as jellies, baked goods, breads, local honey, salsas, and BBQ sauces and rubs.

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We are open every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. through the Christmas holidays. We close down for the season in January and February and re-open in March. Of course, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, sometimes we have to cancel the market due to inclement weather. Please follow us on our Facebook Page for the latest news and announcements! This is where we’ll notify you if the market has been canceled due to weather.

Please come out and support your local artists by stopping by this Saturday!

Three Animal Rescue
Organizations

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Beach Blvd Market is so happy to announce that we are partnering with three different animal rescue operations for our 2019 Market. Each one will take a turn at our Saturday market each month and bring animals that will be available for adoption. They will also be selling items to help benefit their rescue operations. We are honored to have them join us every month until we close for the season in December.

Coastal Community Cats TNR

Humane Society of South MS

Island View Insider Club

Tired Dog Rescue

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We are always on the lookout for unique vendors to join us at market! If you think your products are a good fit, please use the link below to submit an application for review. Not everyone is accepted and slots are limited, but we welcome all inquiries!