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Settlement Clears Way for Permanent Detroit Casinos

DETROIT, Michigan – As reported by the Associated Press: "The Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians has agreed to settle a lawsuit against two Detroit casinos for $79 million, paving the way for the construction of permanent casino-hotels in the city in time for the 2006 Super Bowl.

"But the tribe still remains at odds with the city's third casino, MGM Grand Detroit and will continue efforts to block MGM's permanent gaming facility.

"…Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick announced the settlement at a Tuesday evening news conference. Greektown Casino and Detroit Entertainment LLC, the owner of MotorCity Casino, will each pay $39.5 million to the tribe over the next 25 years under a deal hammered out with help from Kilpatrick in Las Vegas in September.

"…The settlement was expected to be filed Wednesday in federal court in Grand Rapids. Kilpatrick said the tribe will ask the court to lift the injunction for Greektown Casino and MotorCity Casino, allowing construction to start after approval from city council.

"…The city has been working to encourage hotel deals ahead of the Super Bowl. Officials have said the area would be able to accommodate Super Bowl crowds without hotel facilities at the permanent casinos, but the city still wanted the projects to move forward…"

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