Recent Source from Channel 4 reported that Three Detroit Casinos MGM Grand, Greektown Casino and Motor City Casino could be planed to CLOSE when Detroit's population decreased under 800,000 mark under federal requirements. Detroit city leaders are asking U.S. Census for a recount.
Any thoughts?
I don't think any elected official would support or enforce that rule should it truly be in force. There would also be a protracted legal fight before that would ever happen.
Yes, when Engler said no to casinos to Detroit, a group of people got a proposal on the ballot. In that proposal, it was stated that the people could approve casinos in a city that has a population of 800,000 or more. The high number was put in because Engler was against any public casinos in the state and since the only city in Michigan that could meet this requirement was Detroit, it was passed and Detroit got three casinos.Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny
Now that Detroit is reported to be under 800,000, this would pose a major problem because under the law, the casino would have to close but we know there is no way these casinos would close. Remember one of the casinos is owned by a Ilitch. They will simply amend the law to say 600,000 to give Detroit some wiggle room.
I think that the Metro population, the proximity to other states and provinces makes the casinos a viable option. Maybe one could close but they can probably make do as is.
What does the language of the law say?Quote:
Originally Posted by R8RBOB
If it says that casinos may "exist" in a city of more than 800,000 population, then there may be a problem.
But if it says that casinos may be "approved" in a city of more than 800,000 population, then there isn't any concern. The casinos have *already* been approved.
Found it.....Quote:
Originally Posted by ghettopalmetto
Quote:
Proposal E, A Legislative Initiative to Permit Casino Gaming in Qualified Cities.
The key word is "permit" The state permit three casinos to operate in Detroit as long as the requirements are met. Right now, one of the requirements is no longer met to permit casinos in Detroit.Quote:
The proposed law would:
Permit up to three gaming casinos in any city that meets the following qualifications: has a population of 800,000 or more; is located within 100 miles of any other state or country in which gaming is permitted; and has had casino gaming approved by a majority of the voters in the city.
Establish a Gaming Control Board to regulate casino gaming.
Impose an 18% state tax on gross gaming revenues.
Allocate 55% of tax revenue to the host city for crime prevention and economic development; allocate remaining 45% of tax funds to state for public education.
Here's the actual language from the law. As R8RBOB notes, it has no impact on the casinos.
[[l) “City” means a local unit of government other than a county which meets all of the following criteria:
[[i) Has a population of at least 800,000 at the time a license is issued.
They'll amend the law. Don't believe the hype.
With the amount of money these casinos bring into the state, especially with the state being just about broke, they won't be going anywhere. If the language is actually viewed as 'exist' rather than permit at the time of approval, the law would be ammended. There is no way the state will force a business to close like that.
The question is does the 800,000 apply at the initial submitting of the casino license or does it apply to renewal too? The state renew the licenses annually so based on the wording of the law, the 800,000 requirement would apply regardless if this is a new license or renewal.Quote:
Originally Posted by Novine
This is interesting, but English and R8RBOB are right; you can be sure that the licenses will be renewed, one way or another.
Wild idea...........
Okay, it appears that law on the books may affect Detroit so naturally the lawmakers are going to amend the law so that Detroit don't lose out.....but opportunity awaits. What if lawmakers from outside Detroit decides to protest amending the law? The goal of course is to get something out of it. Hackel is on record wanting a marina-casino in Macomb Co. What if the politicians in Oakland and Macomb and other locations suggest that instead of having cities having a population of 800,000 or more how about having counties with a population of let's say 700,000. This will open the door Brooks and Hackel pushing for casino licenses for their counties. Just a thought.
Laws?
Detroit was permitted to levy a higher city income tax, state law allowed cities over a million population to do so. A law written to favor only Detroit.
Looks like laws can be changed.......
The casinos must stay. They're *really* helping out Detroit's financial situation.
Oakland County doesn't want a casino. And I doubt there is much interest in Lansing to allow another casino to be built in Metro Detroit. Plus the existing casinos would furiously lobby against it.Quote:
Originally Posted by R8RBOB
I don't doubt that but for years, Detroiters didn't want casinos either. Coleman Young tried three times to get casinos in Detroit and couldn't get it done yet when one casino opened in Windsor everything changed. That said, there is nothing to stop a representative from introducing new language to the bill to open up opportunities in the future.Quote:
Originally Posted by iheartthed
Coleman Young tried three times to get casinos in Detroit
Which was the reason they didn't pass. Coleman's crooked name attached meant an automatic NO vote.
They never should have been there and if this means they get shut down, Good!
What do you suggest they replace the tax revenues with, oh wise one?Quote:
Originally Posted by Meddle
Now we both know that was not the case. We both know the reason why casinos didn't fly in Detroit was that the preachers made an out-cry everytime the subject was brought. Crime, Mafia, etc.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Meddle
BESIDES, the casinos BRING TOURISTS, nobody locally in Detroit gambles......OH WAIT.
Novine is 100% correct. There is absolutely no effect upon the continued existence of casinos in Detroit. Incompetent reporting at its best.
Does anyone know how much money the casinos take in from locals vs. tourists, and how much money the casinos put back into the community through taxes and wages, vs. how much leaves the state?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Houdini
I [[and everybody I knew at the time) was opposed because Thug Young was in favor. We knew he wanted another way to line his pockets and build his war chest. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he wasn't getting payoffs until the day he died and if there still wasn't some going to his estate. That crooked SOB's ghost will haunt the city long after people forget about Kwame'.Quote:
Now we both know that was not the case.
Yes this same argument was held when Detroit slipped under a million,Quote:
Laws?
Detroit was permitted to levy a higher city income tax, state law allowed cities over a million population to do so. A law written to favor only Detroit.
they amended the law. of course that was before Detroit Yes was born.
C'mon. Does anybody REALLY think they will close the casinos because of this? No way in hell. They will amend the law.
Despite population drop, state law doesn't call for Detroit casino closures [[UPDATED)
Quote:
UPDATE: Since this story was originally posted, a representative from the Michigan Attorney's General office declined to comment one way or the other on the law because there is no pending litigation on the matter.
Additionally, Jacci Woods, Vice President of Public Relations and Community Affairs at MotorCity Casino, emailed MLive this statement:
"We are fully compliant with the Gaming Act and continue to operate a business that makes significant contributions to our community. MotorCity Casino Hotel met all required criteria for issuance of our original license to operate in the City of Detroit and continues to satisfy all current requirements. The population requirement only applied to the originally issued license."
I think we all know that the state would not close any casino in Detroit, though I have to admit that three casinos and one in Windsor is too much. If Detroit was to lose a casino, it wouldn't be a great loss.Quote:
Originally Posted by jcole
Well, of course you'd expect the casino mouthpiece to say that.
But that doesn't make it so.
The casinos are safe under the law for the reason stated by a couple of posters above; the law refers to the initial issuance of permits.
However, that's not even the real issue. Who has legal standing to file suit to close them? Only one entity, the Gaming Control Board.
Anyone think that will ever happen? It would be political suicide for either party which tried it. Case closed.
Exactly, like they are really going to allow the casinos to close.Quote:
Originally Posted by English
This whole pointless discussion was prompted by LeDuff's inability to comprehend state laws. Jeez.
If the casinos close can we still go in there and smoke?
Agree 100%.Quote:
Originally Posted by Meddle
That law reads as 'at time of inception' to me as well. If not there is no place in Michigan that could host the casinos and they would have to close down leaving the state with another budget hole and thousands unemployed. I can't imagine it even being challenged.
Too much money and too powerful of a lobby. Let's not forget these are the folks that manipulated around the smoking ban.
Regarding the latter point I was reminded again of how much I appreciate the smoking ban when I came home stinking of tobacco. Last Saturday night I ended up downtown with some time on my hands so I took a walk-through of the MGM casino. I had only been there once previously for lunch at Wolfgang Puck's so this was my first full tour. This is the most profitable of the four casinos. Everything was overpriced, by Vegas standards, from the antes to the eats - coffee and pop were free -- yet the place was jammed. I had to park on the 7th floor of the parking lot.
Put a fork in any discussion of them closing, it's done.
Maybe they should re-word it to say County. Then they could put one out at Metro so travelers would have something to do while stranded by delayed flights.
My thoughts exactly!Quote:
Originally Posted by ghettopalmetto