Device fees jack up casino taxes for Vicksburg
Published 11:23 am Friday, February 17, 2012
Revenue-based taxes from Vicksburg’s five casinos rose more than 34 percent in the city in January, mainly from device fees due annually to the city.
Payments totaled $693,460 for the month, up from $454,021 in December. The amount was buoyed by $243,750 in fees required from each casino annually. Two casinos have paid the device tax this year, which breaks down to $150 per gaming device. The tax is paid only to the city.
Warren County took in $219,225 for the month, up from $215,911 in December. The Vicksburg Warren School District collected $58,244, up $31.
Local casinos pay 3.2 percent revenue tax to the state that is divided into pieces, with 65 percent to the city, 25 percent to the county and 10 percent to public schools. A second revenue tax is a 0.8 percent share of the state’s 8.8 percent revenue tax and is determined based on the population split between the city and county. Warren County’s share of the latter has increased this year due to 2010 census figures that showed more people living outside the city compared to 10 years ago.