Detroit Casino News -
2009
December 10,
2009
The Michigan Legislature approved a state-wide public smoking ban
with exemptions for casinos and certain other businesses. The bill
now goes to Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, who has indicated
she will sign it into law.
December 7,
2009
According to recent news reports, the Michigan Legislature will
again be considering a state-wide smoking ban in all workplaces.
Debate continues over whether Detroit’s three commercial casinos
will be exempt from the proposed ban as several different pieces of
legislation have been introduced throughout the year in the House
and Senate. A compromise between the state House of Representatives
and Senate could be reached before the Legislature takes its holiday
break December 17.
November 30, 2009
A working group of
the House Appropriations Committee met to discuss the possible use
of an electronic machine that mimics a slot machine, but dispenses
pull-tab games (multilayered paper tickets containing symbols hidden
behind perforated tabs).
October 30,
2009
Greektown Casino- Hotel announced the addition of a new poker room,
scheduled to open on November 23, 2009. The new room will feature 13
tables in a nonsmoking atmosphere and will include a separate room
for private games. It replaces the area formerly occupied by The
Alley Grill.
October 22,
2009
As part of
MotorCity Casino Hotel’s 2009 campaign for green
practices, which ensure environmental responsibility and ecological
sustainability, the Casino has implemented recycling initiatives and
energy conservation practices throughout the property whenever
regulatory requirements and Standard Operating Procedures allow.
October 19, 2009
Caesars Windsor,
located in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, announced that it will be
laying off 120 full-time and part-time employees. The job losses
will affect both union and non-
union employees.
Several part-time jobs and one full-time position will be created as
a result of the layoffs.
October 14, 2009
The Michigan Board of
State Canvassers unanimously approved ballot petition language that
seeks to authorize eight new casinos in Michigan. The ballot
proposal provides for five of the casinos to be placed at the
state’s five horse race tracks, and three new commercial casino
licenses to be issued by the
Michigan Gaming
Control Board.
October 13, 2009
At the public meeting
of the
Michigan Gaming
Control Board (“MGCB”), Executive Director
Rick Kalm announced the implementation of a new program uniting the
MGCB, Michigan State Police,
Michigan Liquor Control Commission, and
the Michigan Lottery in the fight to end illegal and unregulated
gambling in the state. In his report to the MGCB, Mr. Kalm said
individuals can either call the anonymous tip line at 1-888-314-2681
to report illegal gambling activities, submit tips electronically
via email to MiGamblingTip@michigan.gov, or visit the MGCB website
at:
http://www.michigan.gov/mgcb/0,1607,7-120-54347---,00.html. Mr. Kalm also made clear during his presentation that confidentiality is
a top priority.
September 14, 2009
State Representative
Fred Durhal, Jr. (D-Detroit) announced House Joint Resolution BB, a
plan seeking to enact a “Michigan College Tuition Act,” a proposed
plan aimed to assist students competing for jobs by providing free
college tuition for Michigan’s high school graduates.
September 11, 2009
According to The
Detroit News, the casino
MGM Grand
Detroit is no longer being
offered for sale after potential buyers showed a lack of interest.
September 8, 2009
The
Michigan Gaming
Control Board (“MGCB”) adopted Board Resolution 2009-01, which
modifies certain provisions relating to Vendor Exemption and Waivers
for Supplier Licensing Requirements in connection with businesses
that work with the three Detroit casinos. The MGCB has updated its
website with an overview of the new policies based on the adoption
of Resolution 2009-01.
July 27, 2009
Caesars Windsor,
located in Windsor, Ontario, laid off 100 full-time and part-time
employees, citing recently implemented U.S. passport requirements at
the border among the reasons for the reduction. The indefinite lay
offs came from the casino’s food and beverage department. Windsor’s
Canadian Auto Workers Local 444, the union representing
Caesars Windsor
employees, fears more job cuts may be coming by the end of summer.
June 17, 2009
Michigan Attorney
General Mike Cox announced charges against 12 owners and employees
of restaurants near Flint, Michigan, who are allegedly responsible
for operating illegal casinos. The arrests were the result of
efforts by the Michigan State Police, the
Michigan Gaming
Control Board and the Attorney General’s office to thwart illegal gaming
operations in the state.
Woodward Dream Cruise
officials announced that
MotorCity Casino Hotel would be the lead
sponsor for the cruise. “The Woodward Dream Cruise presented by the
MotorCity Casino Hotel” will be held Saturday, August 15, 2009.
June 1, 2009
Starting today, the
United States government will start requiring U.S. citizens
traveling in the Western hemisphere to provide either a passport, or
one of five other forms of secure identification, at land and sea
ports as proof of citizenship.
May 26, 2009
The Michigan State
House approved House Bill 4377 (HB 4377) which would ban smoking in
public places and places of employment, and in food service
establishments (such as restaurants, cafeterias, food courts in
shopping malls, and bars). Under the legislation as passed by the
House exceptions would be made for cigar bars and tobacco specialty
retail stores, for gambling areas of the Detroit casinos, and for
home offices. The bill now goes to the state Senate for
consideration.
April 29, 2009
The House Committee
on Regulatory Reform held a public hearing to take testimony of
House Bill (HB) 4377, a measure which proposes a statewide smoking
ban, but provides exceptions to this ban for casinos and cigar bars.
This House Committee held a series of hearings on this issue in
March, and Committee members further took a number of site tours to
bars, restaurants, and the Detroit Casinos to examine the impact
that such a measure would have on these businesses. However, the
Committee had yet to vote on HB 4377.
April 24, 2009
The House Committee
on Regulatory Reform announced that it will hold a hearing at noon
on Wednesday, April 29 2009 to take testimony on House Bill 4377,
which is a bill that seeks to ban smoking in public areas in
Michigan.
April 4, 2009
The Wall Street
Journal reported that MGM Mirage has hired investment banking firm
Morgan Stanley to assist it in the potential sale of two properties,
the
MGM Grand
Detroit Casino and the Beau Rivage in Biloxi,
Mississippi.
March 25, 2009
MGM Grand
Detroit President and COO Lorenzo Creighton
provided testimony to the House Regulatory Reform Committee
regarding a proposed statewide smoking ban. Mr. Creighton testified
that a statewide smoking ban in public places would cut casino
business by 11 to 22 percent in the first year of implementation,
based on industry figures reflected when similar bans went into
effect in Delaware, Illinois, Colorado and Windsor, Ontario.
Supporters of a
proposed petition to permit casino gaming facilities in the cities
of Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and Columbus, Ohio, re-submitted
language to Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray. Previous casinos
petition language, which was submitted by the Ohio Jobs and Growth
Committee, was ruled as too vague by Attorney General Cordray.
February 19, 2009
Greektown Casino
announced changes to the management board that governs its
operation. Two new members have been appointed, subject to final
approval by the
Kewadin Gaming Authority.
Greektown Casino’s new
management board consists of:
• Darwin Joe McCoy.
Mr. McCoy is the elected Chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of
Chippewa Indians, the majority owners of
Greektown Casino.
• Louis Glazier. Mr.
Glazier is an attorney and certified public accountant who works at
Franklin Advisors, LLC, a Farmington Hills-based financial
consulting and corporate restructuring firm.
• Jacob Miklojcik.
Mr. Miklojcik works as a casino industry analyst, and provides
financial and other business planning services to clients across the
country, through Michigan Consultants, a Lansing, Michigan
consulting firm.
February 12, 2009
Greektown Casino
opened its new 30 story, 400 room hotel and welcomed guests for the
first time. The new hotel is offering special introductory rates as
low as $99 per night, and brings an influx of much needed new hotel
rooms to the City of Detroit in time for the NCAA Final Four and
other upcoming events. The new hotel is the last major step in the
completion of Greektown’s permanent casino complex, which now
includes 100,000 square feet of gaming floor, 2,600 slot machines, a
buffet, steakhouse, and other restaurants and lounges. Greektown
recently added many new slot machines, and has brought in a new
management consultant to work on enhancing relationships with its
customers.
January 5, 2009
Greektown Casino
announced that it has selected The Fine Point Group, a Las
Vegas-based gaming consulting firm, to help improve operations and
boost profitability.
