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Caesars Pushes for Casino by Mall of America

MINNESOTA – As reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune: "The two-color flier recently began appearing in the mail in Bloomington, with a picture of a pair of dice and the headline: 'Monopoly Is Fun ... When It's A Board Game.' It complains that Minnesota is losing millions in tax revenue because of the state's Indian gambling monopoly.

"The small print indicates the flier was prepared and paid for by the Minnesota Entertainment Development Corp. But the real money behind the literature has a better known name: Caesars Entertainment Inc.

"…The gambling industry behemoth is making a high-priced and high-profile push for a proposal to construct a casino near the Mall of America in Bloomington.

"…What had appeared to be a potential logjam of gambling proposals in the Legislature showed signs of a break-up in recent weeks when Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, DFL-Willmar, signalled that some members of his caucus were pushing for several gambling proposals to be heard.

"While cautioning that gambling would not be part of any budget solution, Senate Taxes Committee Chairman Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, also said he would hold a hearing on all the gambling proposals within the next two weeks.

"That slight opening has rejuvenated Caesars' effort for its Mall of America plan more than any of the other gambling proposals. The mall idea would require a constitutional amendment to be realized. Caesars has projected it would bring in at least $1.1 billion in annual revenue and generate $213-$253 million a year in state gambling taxes alone.

"…The renewed effort comes as one of the year's gambling proposals faces a crucial committee vote today. The House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to vote on a plan for the state to become a partner in a metro-area casino with two struggling northern Minnesota tribes. The plan would allow the two tribes, Red Lake and White Earth, to tap into the lucrative metro gambling market. In return, the state would get 20 percent of the gross revenues, an estimated $89 million a year…"

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