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Four Gulf Coast Casinos Challenge Property Tax Bills

"Beau Rivage, Imperial Palace, Isle of Capri and Treasure Bay casinos, in protests filed with Harrison County supervisors, argue the county overvalued their property by hundreds of millions of dollars.

"…If the casinos succeed with their appeals, Harrison County could lose more than $5 million a year. Cities with casinos could also lose millions.

"…Last year, after Harrison County completed its first tax reappraisal since 1986, eight casinos complained that the county overvalued their hotels by a total of more than $350 million for tax purposes. Beau Rivage and Imperial Palace filed lawsuits, which are still pending, challenging last year's taxes.

"Imperial Palace and Treasure Bay also are suing the county and secretary of state's office over separate taxes the county levies on the tidelands the casinos lease from the state for their casino barges.

"The casinos themselves, because they float on barges, are taxed as personal property and are not subject to the same property taxes as hotels.

"The casinos say the county should base their property taxes on their hotels' income, or what they could realistically be sold for, not on replacement value.

"…Earlier this month in Tunica County, supervisors rejected a protest by Sam's Town Casino of its property taxes. The casino, officials said, is weighing its options, including a lawsuit."

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