CASINOS in & near GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI - 2021 up-to-date list

My folks want to retire down in the Biloxi area so I figured I go down with them so I'm not left in New York by myself with no support system. I'm only 23 and from what I've seen Biloxi looks more for old retired folks than any younger generation so I'm pretty skeptical.
Is there any sort of shopping or shows or just well, anything for younger peeps to do? Anything other than casinos or country concerts or stuff like that? I'm not into clubs or partying, but conventions or other geek events is more up my alley.
How's the internet down in the Biloxi or Gulfport areas? Most of my social life is online so it's pivotal that I try and get as good a speed as I can. Also does anyone know how easy it would be to afford a one bedroom apartment? I'd prefer living on my own, working as a nursing aide, though I've read that Mississippi is one of the lowest paying states for my job, though that might be because the cost of living is overall lower? I'm not too sure. I have five years experience so that should count for something right?
How liberal is the area? Are there any LGBTQ friendly areas?
Thanks in advanced; we're driving down next month to scope out the state a bit but I figured it'd be a good idea to try and get a feel for what I'm in for for my first visit.

I was recently asked by someone from out of town for places to eat around the Coast. I realized I had developed something of a list of reasonably-priced restaurants across South Mississippi, that are awesome.
Here's the rules: These are places people wouldn't usually think of to recommend to a visitor (like The Shed, or Mary Mahoney's). Also, these aren't places you are going to spend a fortune on a meal for two people. Between 20 and 30 bucks at the worst. These are also not casino restaurants or chain restaurants. Most importantly, I'm going to tell you what to order, because I hate going to places people recommend, not liking it, and being told by my friend that I ordered the wrong thing.
Thought I'd post my list here to see if anyone else has a good one.
1.)Country Gentleman in Gautier on Gautier-Vancleave Road. Order the Gyros or Super-Gyros I moved out of Jackson County last year, so I hope this place is still open. It sounds like a joint that does "Chicken-fried whatever", and they do make that. But it's run by this Greek family, and there's a little section in the menu that is Greek food. And it blows Mr. Greek in Biloxi out of the water.
2.)Cafe New Orleans in D'iberville on Lamey Bridge Road. Order literally anything. Just order whatever the special is. This is a place that does 'soul food' or 'comfort food' or whatever it's called. It's a place where you can order a pork chop and hush puppies. The food is good. It's not amazing, but it's good. The draw is that you get like a pound of whatever you order. Way too much. If you eat at this place for lunch, I guarantee you, you will be eating the leftovers for dinner.
3.) Zeppelins in Biloxi on Howard Avenue. Order the Pizza This isn't a pizzeria. I don't know if they bill themselves as a pizzeria, but it's not a pizzeria. It's a bar. It looks like a bar, smells like a bar, and is lit like a bar. It is also the best place for gourmet pizza I've found on the coast. I have tried a handful of the pizzas they have on the menu and every one has been great. Extra Credit: their kitchen is open until like 2am. That's how I found this place. I work nights.
4.) Brooklyn Pizza in Gulfport on Courthouse Rd. Order the Steak and Cheese Sandwich Every time someone new comes to town, this is the FIRST place I send them. The pizza is fine. Everything else is also fine, I'm sure. But don't order it. Order the Steak and Cheese sandwich. If they ask you what you want on it, tell them "Whatever comes on it." This is the best sandwich, not just on the Coast, but that I have ever eaten in my life. It takes like 10 minutes to make, which should give you plenty of time to call your loved ones and tell them the person they knew is about to die, and a new, better, person is about to be born unto this world.
5.)Mockingbird Cafe in Bay St. Louis on 2nd Street. Order a burger I went to this place once, a few years back. I don't get into Hancock County very often. If something has changed since then, this might not still be the case. The place looks like an artsy coffee house hidden inside some historic home. Don't worry about that. You don't have to talk to any of the hippies. Just order a burger. They do something weird where the bun is a little sweet, like there is a bit of sugar in it. Not a lot, but just enough that you notice. It's a memorable burger. I'm still thinking about it, and I've seen my share of burgers since then.
That's my list. I'm not really a seafood guy, so none of the seafood places were on it.
Anybody else got one? Preferably one that fits the rules. Also, I'd love to hear about places that are open past 11 (again, I work late). Most importantly, wherever it is, TELL ME WHAT TO ORDER.

Since it seems every time I load it, it asks me to login now, I'm going to start quoting the articles completely and throw a link in at the bottom. Take that, paywall.

http://www.sunherald.com/2013/10/26/5061759/south-mississippi-gay-bars-have.html
By JUSTIN MITCHELL
In South Mississippi, where Lynn Koval has seen five gay bars fail in the past decade, three such clubs have found success by becoming part of the community by giving back to it.
Imgur album of photos with this article
Koval and her sister, Lysa Broussard, own Just Us Lounge on Division Street in Biloxi and say it's more than just a gay bar.
For the past 13 Christmases, Just Us Lounge has adopted every South Mississippi Angel Tree child with HIV or AIDS.
"We buy them everything on their wish list," Koval said.
From donating turkeys to the Back Bay Mission in Biloxi to hosting benefit nights at the lounge, Koval and Broussard rarely ever use the word 'no' when asked to give back to the community.
On Sept. 18, Just Us hosted a benefit night for Walk for Down Syndrome. The money from the cover charge was donated to the organization. Broussard said the benefit will become an annual fundraiser.
"We are a viable resource, not just for the LGBT community but the entire community -- period," Koval said. "As long as we can meet overhead, our goal is to give back to our community."
Just Us has been open on Division Street since 1998. Broussard and Koval opened a separate bar, Sanctuary, in 1996. The two bars merged in 1999.
Just Us opened its doors to provide a safe social outing spot for the South Mississippi gay community, but Koval said she used to have a sign that welcomed both gay and straight patrons to the bar.
However, the bar has seen fierce opposition.
When Just Us first opened, Koval said she was greeted by three hanging nooses on the door one day when she arrived to open up. Koval said the bar was also protested by white supremacists.
"I told my staff that if a Molotov cocktail didn't come through our doors the first year, we would be open for 20 years-plus," Koval said.
Fourteen years later, Just Us still keeps its doors open to the entire community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.
"We only close if a hurricane is coming and they knock on the door and make us leave," Broussard said.
Broussard and Koval agreed that all walks of life are represented at Just Us.
Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway spent a day at Just Us
for a benefit event, and military servicemen and women frequent the bar because it is close to Keesler Air Force Base.
"We get busy in the early morning hours because casino workers and service industry workers come in for a free shift drink," Koval said.
Broussard said that Just Us has been kept alive for so long because of the unique Coast community.
"The Coast is a melting pot," she said. "Our entire community is more accepting."
Koval said that she has seen many gay bars open and close their doors over the years, but she is committed to keeping Just Us open.
'Other' fun in Gulfport
Wednesday night bingo at The Other Bar in Gulfport isn't your grandmother's bingo. There are no markers, fanny packs or troll dolls, but instead beer bottle tops, cocktails and Jayda White, house drag queen and show manager.
White starts the night with a song performance and stand-up comedy set before she takes her seat to call out bingo markers.
"We're starting the night with B-9," White said on a recent Wednesday. "For the first round of Drag Bingo, you can get bingo anyway you can, whether it's horizontal, vertical or diagonal."
At bingo, there is no cover, and the cards are free.
"It's basically a two-hour drag show," said Ellis Pickle, manager at The Other Bar.
Pickle said prizes at bingo come from local businesses who support the gay community.
The Other Bar is on 25th Avenue near downtown Gulfport.
"There are no other gay bars in Gulfport," Pickle said. "The owners are straight, and we work hard to cater to the gay community."
The bar has an open-concept floorplan with a bar illuminated by bubbles that change colors. In the left-hand corner of the bar, there is a sitting area with leather couches, tables and a wall of framed photos of iconic figures who are gay or support the gay community. Dancers perform in an illuminated cage on Saturday nights.
Pickle said since he took over as manager nearly four months ago, business has been increasing.
"We're packing it out every single weekend," he said. "We have gay and straight clientele."
The Other Bar prides itself on offering a safe place to go out and have fun.
"We have an inviting atmosphere," Pickle said. "If you offer a safe, comfortable environment with great entertainment and great drinks, the people will come."
The Other Bar holds events or shows every day it is open.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, there are drink specials and on weekends, there are almost always drag shows.
Pickle said that the shows draw gay and straight people alike.
"It's all about the atmosphere," he said.
Veaux in the Vieux
Since February 2011, Club Veaux in the Vieux Marche in downtown Biloxi has had its doors open to serve the gay community. "We are primarily a gay bar, but certainly we cater to the straight community as well," said head bartender Suzie Moore.
Located less than two miles from Just Us, Moore said that business at the bars feed off each other.
"The idea for the bar was based on location," Moore said. "We share a lot of business with Just Us."
On Friday nights, Club Veaux offers a $10 cover charge with free draft beer and liquor from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Various happy hours and drink specials are offered nightly.
"Fridays are insane here," Moore said.
Moore said the bar will never close before 3 a.m. to cater to the late-shift crowd.
Moore said it's important for South Mississippi residents to support the three gay bars in the area.
"The Coast doesn't have much else to offer to the gay community other than what we bring," Moore said.
Club Veaux is planning to remodel over the next six to eight months to include a gaming area and new decor, but their doors will remain open.

(It's ok, I asked someone who works at the sun herald and he said they probably won't mind.)