Detroit/Windsor Gaming Market Is Improving and Growing

MotorCity's numbers reflect a dramatic increase from its initial figures of $814,000 per day. At the same time, MGM Grand's numbers have remained steady. In Windsor, Casino Windsor has continued to perform at levels close to what it was receiving prior to the opening of the Detroit casinos.

All of this has to be good news to local and state officials and the various investors in Detroit's third and final casino, Greektown Casino, L.L.C. This casino is slated to open November 10th, and will finally answer the question of just how big the market can be. With the increased competition, all three open casinos in this region have stepped up their operations, adding the latest and greatest slot machines, new amenities, and adding new features to their casinos.

In the last several months, MotorCity Casino has added some of the most popular slot machines (Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, etc.) to its slot floor. At the same time, it has continued its MotorCity Millionaires promotion, a unique progressive system that gives every player the ability to become a millionaire just by playing any denomination of slot machine.

MGM Grand Detroit has launched promotions cross-marketing all of its properties in Las Vegas and Mississippi, including the newly acquired Mirage properties to its local patrons. Having been very successful out of the gate, MGM Grand seems to have been focused on sustaining its success and giving customers what they want over the long haul.

Casino Windsor, has in the last year and a half, added dice games, opened newly renovated high roller areas, including Canadian Club slots with high roller slots. The Casino also opened a salon featuring 18,000 square feet over three floors with high stakes gaming tables, a private lounge and bar, and the Cache' restaurant, an exclusive 100-seat facility.

As the competition heats up, improvements will continue from a customer's perspective. Wall Street analysts have been surprised by the initial numbers. As time goes on, expect there to be greater shock waves as our market continues to thrive and grow and the casinos continue to improve. Once the permanent casinos with hotels open in Detroit, expect greater tourism to the entire region as people visit the casinos and the new retail shopping mall that General Motors has announced plans for in the Renaissance Center. As has been illustrated by the operators of the four Detroit/Windsor casino properties, the modern gaming industry uses retail, conference space, dining outlets, non-gaming entertainment options and more to broaden the gaming adventure. This will result in a better experience for area visitors and will result in great job opportunities and tax revenue for the cities of Detroit and Windsor, the State of Michigan and the Province of Windsor.