Mississippi is a popular travel destination for Canadian tourists looking to enjoy the sun, sand, water, and many attractions. With roughly 30 commercial casinos, Mississippi is also a top destination for those who like to gamble.
In December, one of America’s newest casinos, Scarlet Pearl Casino, will be opening its doors in Mississippi. This will also create another reason for those who love gambling to visit the state.
Scarlet Pearl Casino, the Coast’s Only True Casino Resort Property
Mississippi is home to roughly 30 commercial casinos, both land-based and dockside. On top of that, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians owns and operates three casinos, with plans for a fourth casino in Jones County.1
Many of the state’s casinos are located in the city of Biloxi, which sits on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Throughout the state you’ll find close to 1,000 table games. The minimum bet at Mississippi casinos is $0.01 and the maximum bet is $10,000!
Mississippi’s newest casino, the Scarlet Pearl Casino, is scheduled to open in time to ring in the New Year. Located in D’Iberville, which is situated just minutes north of Biloxi, the $300-million complex has a huge casino, 15 storey hotel, and pool/spa.2
On the 60,445-square-foot casino floor you’ll discover 1,350 of the latest slot machines, 45 table games, and 10 live poker tables. In the 18-story, 300-room hotel, you can choose from 234 deluxe rooms, 56 modern suites, and 10 penthouse suites.
The new full-service resort also features a 36-hole miniature golf course (with erupting volcano centerpiece), 250-seat buffet, three other signature restaurants, a 24-hour coffee shop, fitness center, pool, and a 10,000-square-foot event center.
Beau Rivage Resort and Casino
Located right on the Gulf of Mexico is the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, one of the state’s most popular gambling spots. A quick seven-minute drive south of the Scarlet Pearl Casino on highway 110 is the 4-star Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi. At Beau Rivage in Biloxi, you’re just minutes from the Mardi Gras Museum and the Biloxi Lighthouse.3
If you like to gamble, you’ll love the 80,000-square-foot casino floor boasting over 2,100 machines, including video poker and Keno. Denominations at the casino range from $0.01 to $100.00 coins.
If you like table games, Beau Rivage has a wide range of games in many denominations. Popular table games include, craps and roulette, along with unique assortment of games like mini & midi baccarat, single deck blackjack, crazy 4 poker, 3-card poker, pai gow, Mississippi stud, ultimate Texas hold’em, and more. For qualified players, there is a high-limit lounge with over 100 games.
The Beau Rivage is also home to a 16-table, two-tiered poker room. Featuring a variety of popular games such as Texas hold’em, 7-card stud, and Omaha high lo. There are daily and weekly tournaments and in August/September and the casino hosts the Gulf Coast Poker Tournament, a WPT event.
After gaming, you can relax in one of the 1,740 luxury rooms, relax in the full-service spa, or enjoy an afternoon at the salon, play golf, go retro in the arcade, or enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants.
IP Casino Resort Spa
A shorter six-minute drive south of the Scarlet Pearl Casino is the IP Casino Resort Spa. A 4-star resort, also located in Biloxi, the IP (formerly known as the Imperial Palace Hotel – Biloxi) has a casino floor spanning more than 70,000 square feet. Here you’ll discover more than 1,700 slot machines; including classic reels, video, and progressive slots.4
Of the 60 table games you can while the hours away playing blackjack, craps, dragon bonus baccarat, 4-card poker, midi baccarat, pai gow, Texas hold’em, roulette, and 3-card poker. While the 13-table poker room offers all of your favourite games, including Omaha and hold’em.
Winner of the AAA Four Diamond award, the 32-storey, 1,100-room IP Casino Resort Spa overlooks the Back Bay of Biloxi. In 2014, the casino spent close to $8.0 million upgrading over 350 guest accommodations.
And it’s currently in phase two of the complete hotel makeover with an anticipated completion date of January 2016.
The IP Casino Resort Spa also features live entertainment, restaurants, a first-class spa, and specialized golf packages.
U.S. Casino Winnings Subject to 30% Withholding Tax
If you are a non-U.S. resident and visit Mississippi (or any other U.S. state that has gambling) and you win a significant amount of money (typically over $1,200) your gaming and pari-mutuel winnings are subject to a 30% withholding tax. But, if you live in a country like Canada, which has signed a U.S. tax treaty, you may be eligible for a refund.
Some of the countries that do not have a U.S. tax treaty include: Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Kuwait, Mexico, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and UAE. However, based on a recent court case, winners from these countries may qualify for a refund if they meet certain criteria.
If you win a substantial amount gambling, your winnings are subject to a 30% withholding tax by the IRS. For example, if you win $4,000 playing keno, the casino will pay you $2,800. The IRS keeps the rest.
RMS is the Easiest, Fastest Way to Get Your Money Back
If you’ve been to the U.S. and had 30% of your winnings held back by the IRS, Refund Management Services can help you reclaim a portion or all of your taxable winnings.
Founded by a Canadian Chartered Accountant in 1998, RMS is the most reliable and experienced gaming and casino tax refund provider for non-U.S. residents. Only RMS has the One Simple StepTM process. Our customer service agents take care of the rest.
Once you provide us with complete documentation, your claim will be processed and we will submit it to the IRS.
We’ve never been refused for an eligible refund. Contact us today!
Sources:
1. “Mississippi Casinos,” 500 Nations website; http://500nations.com/Mississippi_Casinos.asp.
2.“Scarlet Pearl Casino,” Scarlet Pearl Casino website; http://www.scarletpearlcasino.com/.
3.“Beau Rivage Resort and Casino,” Beau Rivage Resort and Casino website; http://www.beaurivage.com/.
4.“IP Casino Resort Spa,” IP Casino Resort Spa website; http://www.ipbiloxi.com/.