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Gambling Expansion Threatens Michigan Plans

MICHIGAN – As reported by the Detroit News:"Michigan could soon have more ways to gamble than any other state — offering a bettor's paradise of casinos, horse tracks, keno parlors and lottery games.

"But the state is quickly reaching a saturation point that could threaten plans for permanent Detroit casinos and deplete local and state gambling taxes that provide badly needed funds for education and other programs.

"Michigan ranks seventh among U.S. states for gaming revenue at $2.7 billion annually. Besides the three Detroit casinos — Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit and MotorCity — Michigan has 16 Indian casinos, seven horse tracks, a state lottery, a multistate lottery and 1,500 Club Keno sites in bars and other establishments.

"…Efforts are under way to add more Indian casinos, Club Keno sites, horse tracks and 'racinos' — video slot machines at the tracks.

"But for nearly all forms of gambling, revenues have gone flat or are declining.

"…The anemic growth, the Legislature's recent decision to raise casino taxes and the threat of more competition has the three Detroit casinos thinking twice about investing a combined $1.5 billion to build permanent gaming halls and hotels downtown.

"The losers? Cash-strapped state and local governments, which expected growing gaming revenues to meet rising budget expenses…"

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