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Studies Support Michigan Casino

KALAMAZOO, Michigan – (PRESS RELEASE) -- On the heels of the Department of Interior announcing that they are prepared to take the Tribe's land in to trust, the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan (commonly known as the Gun Lake Tribe) and the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce released two new studies that provided a boost to the efforts to open a casino in Bradley, MI.

Jonathan Taylor, President of the Taylor Policy Group, Inc. and Tom Shields, President of Marketing Resource Group, Inc. (MRG) both presented to the Chamber and Tribe.

Taylor presented a consulting report conducted on behalf of the Tribe, which critiques a study by the Anderson Economic Group purporting to show net economic harms from a Wayland casino. "Anderson's forecast goes against common sense and systematic research," said Taylor, "and it is not sufficiently rigorous to support any policy change, let alone overturn policies in favor of competition and Indian self-determination." Taylor's report points to systematic after-the-fact research chartered by the National Gambling Impact Study Commission showing economic vitality is associated with casino introductions -- in contradiction of Anderson's forecast. The report also notes that the AEG forecast is audacious in ignoring in-state experience, other states' history, corroborating impact studies, and after-the-fact data on its subject.

In the other study released, a poll of Michigan voters showed overwhelming support for the efforts by the Gun Lake Tribe of Michigan to negotiate a gaming compact with the State. This is according to a recent public opinion survey conducted by Marketing Resource Group for The Gun Lake Tribe of Michigan and The Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce. The proposed compact would treat the Gun Lake Tribe equally with other Michigan tribes and allow them to open a casino on their tribal lands.

The poll reveals that 57 percent of respondents support the tribal casino, while only 20 percent oppose it. In addition, 58 percent believe that the proposed casino will have a positive impact on the regional economy, while only 14 percent say the impact will be negative. One-third of all respondents believe it will have a very positive impact. Even in areas where Native American tribal casinos are currently located, respondents believe the casino will be good for the economy.

Across all demographic groups and geographic regions, including West Michigan where the casino would be located, most respondents support the Tribe.

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