We knew it was “official” a long time ago, but it now looks like it is was officially released.

Caesars writes off unfinished Biloxi casino

Casino operator Caesars Entertainment Corp. says it won’t continue construction of the unfinished casino on the beach in Biloxi, Miss.

The company took a $167.5 million non-cash impairment charge on the project, writing off the money spent on the casino before stopping work in 2008.

Caesars announced the decision in its earnings report Wednesday.

Thompson says one proposal is to demolish property and use the left over materials to repopulate offshore oyster beds. He says a decision is pending.

Caesars says more people visited its casinos in Mississippi and Louisiana in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 2011 but spending per trip declined slightly.