Pittsburgh casino owner sues state over municipal slots tax
The owner of Pittsburgh’s Rivers Casino is suing the state Department of Revenue claiming a municipal tax based on slot machine revenues is illegal and should be refunded.
Holding Acquisitions Co. filed the state Supreme Court lawsuit last week. A revenue spokesman didn’t immediately return a call for comment Thursday.
The casino claims the tax violates a clause of the state constitution requiring taxes be uniform. The lawsuit contends the Local Share Tax is illegal because casinos must pay $10 million a year to the municipality where they’re based if slots revenues are less than $500 million, or 2 percent of annual revenues over $500 million. Also, Philadelphia casinos pay a flat 4 percent, with no $10 million minimum.
The Rivers Casino has paid Pittsburgh about $65 million since it opened in 2009.
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