SEARCH NEWS:

 

Efforts to Repeal Proposal E Fall Short

Proposal E, instituted to approve the legalization of casino gaming in Detroit, will apparently remain in tact, despite efforts have it repealed.

"After six months of diligent work on a state-wide petition drive to revisit the issue of casino gambling in Detroit, the Coalition to Repeal Proposal E has fallen short of the legally required signatures to place the question before voters next November," said Peter Fletcher, co-chair of the proposal.

The Coalition began its campaign to get a referendum on the ballot to repeal Proposal E in the November of 1997. "Sometimes you have to throw in the towel one way or another," Rev. Allen Rice, treasurer of the Coalition said. The Coalition will be meeting to discuss its options further.

In response to the Coalition not obtaining the necessary legal signatures, Detroit Entertainment L.L.C. spokesman Tom Shields said, "We had formed our own committee (Citizens to Protect Michigan Jobs) to fight this issue. However, it appears that we will not need to focus our energy on protecting Proposal E. Now we can direct our efforts toward the construction and development of temporary casinos."

Proposal E enacted the Michigan Gaming and Revenue Act. The Act permits the development and licensing of three privately owned casinos within the Detroit City limits. The three casino are expected to bring in an estimated $1.3-1.5 billion market. The three candidates are Detroit Entertainment, MGM Grand and Greektown.

< Gaming News