NATCHEZ — Despite never leaving dock for more than 22 years, the Isle of Capri Casino has made economic ripples throughout Natchez and Adams County.

Now that the Natchez Under-the-Hill casino is set to close in October, officials are weighing in on how the closure may affect gaming revenue.

County Administrator Joe Murray said he does not expect county revenues to fluctuate too much as a direct result of the closure.

“At the max, I feel like we could lose about $100,000,” Murray said. “The likelihood of that happening though is not too great.”

Murray said his biggest concern with the casino closing is the potential ripple effect it could cause from job losses.

The casino currently employs approximately 240 people.

“If some of those people move out of town, well, they’re not buying cars here anymore and they’re not paying property taxes,” Murray said. “It is going to have a residual effect on taxes for sure.”

The Isle of Capri Casino was established in 1999 when St. Louis-based Isle Corp. purchased the casino from Lady Luck Casino, which opened in 1993 becoming one of the first dockside casinos in Mississippi.

In 2012, after operating as the lone casino option in the area the Isle of Capri was joined by Magnolia Bluffs Casino, making Natchez a two-casino town.

Since Magnolia Bluffs began operating in Natchez, the city and county have seen an increase of $376,793 in annual gaming revenue.

In 2012, total gaming revenue was approximately $1 million. Last year, it contributed approximately $1.4 million to the local economy.

Natchez City Clerk Donnie Holloway said the city receives an annual gaming revenue check from the state.

From that check, Holloway said the city gives a portion to the county. Of the $1.4 million received last year, the county received $499,857 with the remainder going to the city.

“We put some of that money in our fire fund, and some in our sanitation fund,” Murray said.

With both the city and county beginning their budgeting processes for the next fiscal year, Holloway and Murray said they’re considering how to factor in a possible shift in gaming revenue.

Murray said no clear way exists to forecast that potential shift.

“I remember when Magnolia Bluffs first opened up, I tried to be careful about budgeting because it was a guess,” Murray said. “We just have to look at all our revenues, and see how it could play out.”

Assistant City Clerk Wendy McClain said she doesn’t think the casino’s closing will affect the city’s budget much.

“All the people who played at (the Isle of Capri) will probably just go next door to Magnolia Bluffs,” McClain said. “It might mean a little less money from gaming, but I don’t think it will affect our budget all that much.”

The casino’s closure comes at the same time that Casino Holding Investment Partners — the parent company of Magnolia Bluffs Casino — announced plans to purchase the Isle of Capri Hotel on South Canal Street for approximately $11.5 million.

Murray said that purchase could make up for potential gaming revenue losses.

“If they go and stick more money in the hotel, that’ll increase taxes,” Murray said.

Right now, Murray and McClain said only time would really tell the financial impact of the Isle of Capri closing.

Isle spokesperson Jill Alexander said future plans for the physical casino, a barge made to resemble a riverboat, are still being determined.