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Detroit Casino Trial Clears Way for Permanent Sites

DETROIT, Michigan – As reported by the Detroit News: "An appeals court ruling Thursday ended a legal logjam and cleared the way for Detroit's three casinos to build permanent gambling, hotel and entertainment complexes.

"The MGM Grand Detroit Casino and MotorCity Casino reaffirmed plans to build permanent gambling houses but said they will need time to re-examine plans before breaking ground.

"Greektown Casino officials would not commit to building a permanent facility, saying they will weigh all their options in light of a 33 percent casino tax increase passed last year by the state Legislature.

"In a news conference Thursday, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick vowed to push all the casinos to begin building as soon as possible.

"…The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati dismissed claims against MGM Grand by the 500-member Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.

"…The construction of permanent casinos had been blocked by an injunction since 2002 in connection to the lawsuit, which claimed the city's 1997 casino selection process was unfair.

"…The attorney for the Lac Vieux tribe voiced a mixed reaction to the court's ruling Thursday.

"'We are pleased the court has approved the settlements and feel vindication our constitutional rights in the bidding process were at least partially violated,' said Conly J. Schulte, an Omaha, Neb., lawyer. 'On the other hand, we are disappointed the court of appeals dismissed our claims with regard to the MGM.'…"

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