Tourism incentives for casinos going to conference

After a vote this morning, the bill that would give tax credits to casinos to build non-gambling related amenities is headed to conference so the Mississippi Senate and the House of Representatives can work out differences.

Pass Christian's Rep. Diane Peranich’s House Bill 1196 would give tax breaks to casinos that invest more than $10 million in non-gambling developments. It covers theme parks, water parks, cultural or historical centers, motor speedways or other large, non-gambling tourist attractions. The bill would also provide incentives for hotel investments of more than $40 million, as well as golf courses with investments of more than $10 million.

The incentives bill would allow a casino to recoup up to 30 percent of the project's value over a 10-year period, by giving it access to a percentage of the sales tax the project creates. Coast senators said the incentives would likely bring much investment on attractions in the state from casino groups.

Last year, the provision to give the incentives to casinos died in conference, as anti-gambling Senate factions stripped the benefits from casino companies. Other businesses are allowed the tax incentives now.

Peranich's bill is part of a deal that would prevent casinos from expanding to counties where they aren't presently legal through Senate Bill 2199. The Senate voted to Tuesday to invite conference on the bill, which was approved in the House, but was amended so both houses' leaders must work out differences.

In a voice vote this morning, the House voted to send the incentives bill to conference.

Peranich said Tuesday afternoon that she was optimistic about getting her bill passed. She said the Senate removed some incentives for casinos to build retail businesses from the bill, and she hopes to get that added back during negotiations.