A true pioneer of the gaming industry in Tunica and the state of Mississippi has died. Fernando Cuquet, 93, of Savannah, GA, one of the founding partners in Tunica’s first casino, died last Saturday, Jan. 12, in hospice care there. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
A native of New Orleans, where he was born April 8, 1919, Mr. Cuquet had pursued many careers – attorney, entrepreneur, FBI agent, and spy. Among his many business ventures were ownership of 50 oil wells in southwest Louisiana and a 3800-acre Florida muck farm; real estate holdings in metro New Orleans; industrial contracting, warehouses and ocean-going bulk carriers; and controlling interest in one of the largest banks in the New Orleans area. One of his biggest transactions – a billion dollar deal – was the purchase of the All American Pipe Line that stretched from Texas to Los Angeles.

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