More Info On MotorCity Casino's Hotel

Crain's Detroit Business has a story out in today's issue with a good rundown on the challenges that will face the three Detroit casinos as they open their hotels. Namely, they will have to create hundreds of thousands of hotel room nights of business each year, where none previously existed. (By my calculation, at full capacity they would have to create 438,000 room nights among the three hotels: 400 rooms per hotel multiplied by 365 room nights multiplied by three hotels).

Also interesting in the story is that the "excuse" for the MotorCity's delay in opening the hotel has now apparently been expanded beyond the delayed delivery of furniture to also include: (a) the state shutdown [of four hours] on October 1, 2007; and (b) the labor negotiations with the Detroit Casino Council.

Unions And MGM Grand Detroit Reach Tentative Contract Agreement

The Detroit Casino Council, a consortium of the four unions that represent workers at the three Detroit casinos, reached a tentative agreement with MGM Grand Detroit Casino on Thursday, leaving only Greektown Casino without an agreement with the Council.

The ratification vote of union members will occur on Monday, October 29, 2007.

MotorCity Union Contract Ratified

A new four year contract between the Detroit Casino Council and the MotorCity Casino was ratified by the member unions on Monday, October 22, 2007. Contract negotiations are continuing with MGM Grand Detroit and Greektown Casinos.

Opening of MotorCity Casino Hotel Delayed Until November 28, 2007

The opening of the MotorCity Casino Hotel, which was scheduled for November 1, 2007, has been delayed until approximately November 28, 2007. The casino was unwilling to commit to an exact opening date, and blamed the delay on vendor delays in delivery of furniture, fixtures and other furnishings.

Compare this delay with the clockwork precision with which the MGM Grand Casino hotel opened.

MotorCity Prepares To Close As Strike Looms

The contract extension by the Detroit Casino Council, the group of unions representing workers at the three Detroit Casinos, with MotorCity Casino expires at noon today.

In light of the pending strike deadline, numerous media outlets are reporting that the casino is being emptied of patrons.

However, as of this moment, no picket lines have been reported outside of the casino.

Detroit Casinos Negotiate With Unions; Contract Extended

The three Detroit casinos, MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity, and Greektown, continue to negotiate with the unions comprising the Detroit Casino Council. The collective bargaining agreement was set to expire this evening, but the parties have agreed to extend the contract while negotiations continue, with the union committing to give 72 hours notice before a strike.

The Detroit Casino Council is targeting MotorCity in its negotiations, apparently hoping to use the MotorCity contract as the pattern for the remaining two casinos.

UPDATE: Apparently, the media reports were inaccurate, the extension granted to the MotorCity Casino was only through noon on Wednesday, October 17, 2007.

Teamsters Seek Organizing Vote At Soaring Eagle

The Teamsters are seeking to organize the Soaring Eagle workforce. The union has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board seeking to organize the hotel and casino employees at the casino and resort.

Casino Workers Vote On Strike Authorization?

Apparently, the new collective bargaining agreement for workers at all three Detroit Casinos is being negotiated, and the unionized casino workers (including dealers) are voting to authorize a strike to begin October 16, 2007.

At least, that is what WDIV-TV is reporting. I have found no coverage of this issue elsewhere, and the local broadcast media has the journalistic chops of a junior high monthly student newspaper, so I guess until I get more verification, take this with a grain of salt. WDIV-TV has a video report up on this story as well.

Soaring Eagle Discloses Conceptual Plans For Major Expansion

The Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant has released conceptual plans for a major expansion that feature additional gaming, as well as resort features that range from the practical (water park), to the fantastical (indoor ski hill). The conceptual site plan shows expansion in multiple geographic directions by the casino.

Of course, whether these plans are realistic, or merely Microsoft-like vaporware, remains to be seen.

It's hard to argue with the success of the Soaring Eagle Casino, or the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, however.

As Predicted By Michigan Casino Blog, Emergency Appeal of TRO Disappears

As predicted by Michigan Casino Blog, the appeal by the Michigan Gaming Control Board of Judge William Giovan's Temporary Restraining Order preventing the State of Michigan from forcing the closure of the three Detroit casinos in the event of a government shutdown has disappeared from the Michigan Court of Appeals active docket, having been dismissed by the stipulation of the parties.

MGM Grand Detroit Poker Room Features Several Game Options

The new smoke-free poker room located on the third floor of the MGM Grand Detroit Casino features the following game choices: Seven Card Stud, Omaha Hi-Lo, Limit Hold 'Em, and No Limit Hold 'Em.

Rave Reviews Pouring In On New MGM Grand Detroit Casino

The local press is unable to control the gushing flavor of the reviews of the new MGM Grand Detroit Casino.

The Detroit News has another description of the new casino, as well as an article regarding the grand opening festivities at the predictably packed casino.

The Detroit Free Press also covered the grand opening.

MGM Grand Detroit Casino Receives Regulatory Approval To Open

The Michigan Gaming Control Board approved the opening of the MGM Grand Detroit Casino, removing the last regulatory hurdle to the opening of the $800 million, one million square foot casino, hotel, and resort in the City of Detroit. The casino is scheduled to open this evening, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

How Do You Spell Irony Again?

Mayor Kilpatrick is hosting a national mayoral summit to strategize how to prevent homeowners from losing their homes to mortgage foreclosure. Where is he holding the summit, you might ask? Coleman A. Young Municipal Center conference room? Neighborhood City Hall?

Nope. MGM Grand Detroit Casino. How perfect.

Opening of MGM Grand Detroit Casino Receives National Coverage

The grand opening today of the MGM Grand Detroit Casino and hotel complex is receiving widespread national media coverage. Stories regarding the casino's opening appear in (among other publications), USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post. Most of the articles, surprisingly, are either neutral, or positive in their coverage of the City of Detroit.

Two New Casinos, And A Major Expansion

In the next few days, Michigan Casino Blog will provide more details regarding two new casinos under construction in southwest Michigan, the Gun Lake Casino, and the Firekeepers Casino.

In addition, details regarding the proposed expansion of the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant will receive full coverage.

Stay tuned for more details on these three casinos.

MGM Grand Detroit Poker Room To Be Smoke-Free

The Detroit News, in its rundown of the new MGM Grand Detroit Casino, which opens Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at approximately 11:59pm, reveals more information regarding the new poker room. Most significantly, the eight table poker room will be smoke-free.

Emergency Appeal Of Temporary Restraining Order Likely Moot, As State Shutdown Averted

Expect the Michigan Court of Appeals to dismiss as moot the emergency appeal by the Michigan Attorney General's Office of Wayne County Circuit Judge William Giovan's Temporary Restraining Order prohibiting the State of Michigan Gaming Control Board from requiring the closure of the three Detroit Casinos, as the state government shutdown has been ended after approximately four hours. It is also possible that the Attorney General's Office may withdraw the appeal as it is now moot.