Let's give the casinos some credit for the revitalization of downtown Detroit.
Fifteen years ago many people were reluctant to visit downtown because of
crime issues. The casinos are one reason there has been a change in the image of downtown Detroit. You could argue that the new stadia, some increases in employment, the shift of GM to the Ren Center play a larger role but the casinos should get some credit.
I believe that each of the three casinos are among the 12 largest private sectors employers in the city of Detroit.
At one time the city income tax was 3%. The state insisted that it be lowered to 2%. As part of the negotiations of the city and state, casino
revenues were used to replace the revenue lost from the lower city income
tax rate. The city income tax rate was cut to 2.4%, at least in part because of casino revenues. If casino revenues ever boom, the city income tax rate may fall to a lower level.