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Mississippi Gaming Association Reacts to State Study on Gaming

``The study recognized a number of key issues facing the industry today,'' said Andy Bourland, executive director for the state association. The study was presented to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee in a meeting Tuesday afternoon.

However, in addition to the study, Dr. Phil Pepper, the state's economist with the Institute of Higher Learning, provided the JLBC with employment information comparing the number of Mississippi residents making $35,000 a year or more to green card holders supposedly making similar salaries.

``Unfortunately, the data provided to the committee was inaccurate,'' Bourland noted.

What Dr. Pepper provided included the total number of foreign nationals employed within the three gaming regions regardless of their salary levels.

``In fact,'' according to Bourland, ``foreign nationals currently hold relatively few mid-to senior management positions within the industry. We're working with the state's gaming commission to get an accurate number of green card employees in the salary range initially presented to the committee.''

The state's gaming association was encouraged that the Institute of Higher Learning study calls for leaving gaming taxes at the current level. Casinos pay an eight percent tax toward the state's general fund and a four percent tax to those counties or cities where the resorts are located. This does not include a number of other taxes, fees and leases associated with operating casino resorts.

Additionally, the study suggested state educational institutions should be able to provide gaming education courses.

``This is an issue the industry has strongly supported for several years,'' Bourland said.

``Clearly, the time has come for the state to move forward on this issue. We should provide Mississippians with every opportunity to succeed and rise to the most senior positions within the industry,'' he added.

Other key elements of the study highlighted the need for continued commitment to road improvements and construction in gaming areas.

``The industry believes the state has been committed to providing the funds for such requirements. We were particularly encouraged by the governor's recent decision to commit $100 million to keep gaming road improvements on track,'' Bourland said.

``The findings presented in this report are the very issues that the Mississippi Gaming Association has worked closely with the state legislature and the gaming commission to address. We intend to work even more closely with the state's elected and appointed officials to best benefit the state, our employees and the industry as a whole,'' according to Bourland.

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