MS smoking ban among things discussed

Brianzz · **Brianzz**

As patrons tried for the big jackpot downstairs, state representatives, county officials and members of the casino industry discussed a winning combination for local gaming.

Rep. Bobby Moak led the session on Dec. 10 at Hollywood Casino. The meeting was one of three planned around the state. Moak said similiar gatherings would be held in Vicksburg and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

A proposed state smoking ban, the first item of business introduced, drew comments from both sides of the table.

Moak asked Rep. John Mayo, who represents Coahoma and Tunica counties and a portion of DeSoto County, to speak on the smoking ban. Mayo said he would introduce the legislation during this session, but added that he was aware it would affect the gaming industry.

“I’m not oblivious to what it would do for your business,” Mayo said.

Mayo, whose district includes 10 casinos, said he did not believe that the legislature would have the backbone to act on the bill.

“It’s an all or nothing bill,” Mayo said.

Lobbyist George Williams, who represent the Isle of Capri Casino, said the ban would have repercussions for the gaming industry.

“ I hope there will be a serious review of the economic impact of a smoking ban on the casinos,” Williams said, adding that the industry had already been proactive in introducing non- smoking portions of the gaming floor, nonsmoking sections in their restaurants and enhancing air filtration systems.

Williams said the industry was customer based and the taxes paid to the state of Mississippi were customer produced and hoped that the state would consider that before driving away customers. He said similar bans in other states have been reversed.

Mayo asked Williams if gaming representatives would be willing to come to a compromise by making their restaurants smoke free.

Williams said he could not make a commitment at the meeting, but thought that making food and beverage outlets not on the gaming floor smoke free was reasonable.

Rep. George Flaggs said Williams made “a valid point.”

“The casinos are customer driven and if the market saw the need for it (the smoking ban), I feel like they would do it on their own,” Flaggs said.

He said in these trying economic times, nothing should be done to further hurt businesses.

Moak then asked county officials to give an update on the Mid-South Fair, saying it might offer an opportunity to bring in a venue for ultimate fighting.

Tunica Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Webster Franklin said the Mid-South Fair would certainly offer many opportunities to expand Tunica’s “one horse economy.”

Franklin said the biggest help the legislature could provide is with perception. In order to make visitors choose Tunica, Tunica is going to have to change with the times, he said.

Franklin said a 10,000 seat arena would certainly help the market, but the county was now in a position where it must maintain the infrastructure it has put in place.

“If we’re going to grow, we need your help in doing so,” Franklin said. “Please educate your colleagues that we need help.”

Ken Murphree, who is facilitating the county’s side of the fair move, also addressed the committee.

Murphree said progress on the fair’s new site has been slow, but fair officials, including General Manager/C.O.O Jim Rout, have met with Mayo in an effort to get help with the needed infrastructure and facilities.

Murphree said a study conducted at the request of fair officials had estimated that an arena could be used 104 event days per year. In order to develop the arena and other related facilities, Murphree said the fair would need help from the legislature. Murphree stressed that Tunica County would not be the only area to benefit from the fair’s move.

The discussion then shifted to a sales tax incentive program that could benefit casinos if they are allowed to use it. The current program, overseen by the Mississippi Development Authority, only applies to manufacturing facilities, processing facilities, technology intensive enterprises and data or information processing centers. It allows a sales and use tax exemption for companies to purchase “eligible machinery and equipment” to expand or build facilities.

Franklin said the program could make a difference in corporations deciding to locate in Mississippi.

“It could be a win/win for everybody in the state,” Franklin said.

Rep. David Norquist said he thought it would be a positive to include casinos in the sales tax incentive plan and a bill to include them should pass through both houses this session.

“We’re getting closer and closer,” Norquist said.

While help may be on the way, gaming officials indicated that the progress made in the industry over the past 10 years is diminishing.

Hollywood Casino GM John Osborne said numbers resemble figures from 1998, when gaming in Tunica was still relatively new.

“We’ve reserved 2/3 of our history in the markeplace over the last 18 months,” Osborne said.

He said all the new games introduced in Tunica have “been wiped out” and estimated revenues were down at least 10 percent.

Supervisor James Dunn said he represented the district that includes Tunica’s nine casinos and that county revenue from gaming was down around 13 percent from a year ago.

He called for more non financial support from the gaming industry such as “amenities for citizens.”

“I’d like to see more support from the gaming industry on the local jurisdiction,” Dunn said.

Moak thanked Dunn for his remarks and assured gaming representatives that House members supported the Sales Tax Incentive Program.

Legislators and attendees also discussed a casino bed tax, a tax on jackpots and the possibility of changes to the school year in the state.

Moak said the casino bed tax was “floating around the Capitol” but no legislation had been introduced.

Williams questioned the legality of singling out casino hotels for a special asssessment.

Moak assured attendees that “everybody is watching for it on our side.”

Moak also asked industry professionals about a three percent jackpot tax and its effects on gaming.

Osborne said the tax came out six to eight years ago and may put Mississippi at a disadvantage.

Mayo said he would work towards getting the tax abolished.

Moak also made guests aware of a discussion to start the school year later in August.

“The thinking is, it will give families more vacation time in August,” Moak said.

Williams said that may be a plus for the gaming industry as summer employees could work longer.

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