Second Media Report That Firekeepers Casino Will Not Begin Construction Until 2009

Although the Nottawaseppi Huron Band has consistently stated that the construction of the new Firekeepers Casino will begin in the Spring of 2008, with an opening in 2009, we now have the second media report that construction will not begin until 2009. This new report follows another report that construction has been delayed.

Soaring Eagle Casino's Housekeeping Employees Turn Down Teamsters By Wide Margin

The housekeeping employees at the Soaring Eagle Casino voted against representation by the Teamsters union by a wide margin. The vote was 192-88 against Teamsters representation. The election, held on December 21, 2007, was held after the National Labor Relations Board ruled that it had jurisdiction over organizing efforts at Native American casinos.

Firekeepers Casino Construction Delayed Until 2009?

Prior media reports have indicated that construction of the new $270 million Firekeepers Casino in Emmett Township (between Battle Creek and Marshall, Michigan) will begin in spring 2008, with an opening in 2009.

However, a new report seems to indicate that construction has been delayed until 2009, which would indicate the casino would not open until 2010.

December 2007 Detroit Casino Revenues Reported

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has released the December 2007 results for the three Detroit casinos, MGM Grand, MotorCity, and Greektown. The full year 2007 results were also released.

For December 2007, MGM Grand Detroit's revenues were $46,746,114, which is down approximately $40,000 from November 2007. Year-over-year, the December 2007 revenues were up $4,000,000 from December 2006. For the full year, MGM Grand Detroit's revenues were $513,480,980, up $24,000,000 from 2006.

MotorCity's revenues for December 2007 were $39,522,591, which was up approximately $1,200,000 from November 2007. The December 2007 revenues were down $3,500,000 from December 2006. For the full year, MotorCity's revenues were $415,214,415, up $11,500,000 from 2006.

Greektown, which is the only Detroit casino not to have opened its hotel yet, revenues for December 2007 were $27,375,747, which was down approximately $750,000 from November 2007. December 2007's revenues were down $2,700,000 from December 2006. Full year revenues for 2007 were down $3,700,000 versus 2006 for Greektown.

These revenue increases was good for a 2.4% increase over 2006 revenues, which is the slowest since the Detroit casinos opened.

These are troubling numbers for Greektown and MotorCity.

For MotorCity, the trouble is that the casino has opened new gaming areas and its hotel, yet revenues for December 2007 were substantially lower than December 2006.

The trouble for Greektown is more substantial. Greektown has long blamed its third-place revenue finishes on the casino's lack of abundant free parking close to the casino. Yet, even after November 15, 2007, when Greektown opened its 2,900 space free parking structure connected to the casino, Greektown's revenues continue to lag.

December Revenues Not Yet Reported For Detroit Casinos

The monthly revenue reports for the three Detroit casinos (MGM Grand Detroit, Greektown, and MotorCity) are generally released at the monthly meeting of the Michigan Gaming Control Board. However, there is no meeting scheduled for January, 2008. The release of the December monthly revenue report will provide interesting information regarding the impact of the first full month of revenues after the opening of the new parking structure at Greektown and the hotel at MotorCity Casino.

Stay tuned. . .

Saganing Eagle's Landing To Add Subway Franchise

Prior reports have intimated that there would be no food service at the Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino near Standish, Michigan. However, current reports indicate that a Subway franchise will soon be opening at the newly-opened casino.

Contrary To Prior Media Reports, Saganing Eagle's Landing Opens On December 31, 2007

There was no fanfare, but the Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino near Standish, Michigan, opened on December 31, 2007. The grand opening was directly contrary to several media reports that the opening would not occur until mid-February, 2008. Curiously, the casino's website currently still indicates that the casino is "Opening Soon."

After Saganing Eagle's Landing, Next New Casino Is FireKeepers Casino Between Marshall And Battle Creek

While gamblers await the delayed opening of Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino, near Standish, Michigan, the focus shifts to the next new casino in Michigan, the FireKeepers Casino, which will be constructed in Emmett Township, Michigan, located between Battle Creek and Marshall, near 11 Mile Road and I-94 Interstate. The casino is scheduled to open in early to mid 2009.

Firekeepers Casino will be owned by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potowatomi Indians, and will be managed by Full House Resorts, Inc.

The casino is reported to be a $270 million development, with a 230,000 square foot casino, featuring between 2000 and 2500 slot machines, and between 44 and 110 table games, and a 2,000 space covered parking garage. The casino is reportedly going to create 700 construction jobs and 2500 full time jobs. The casino is being built under the direction of construction manager Clark Construction Company.

Additional Reports Substantiate Mid-February Grand Opening For Standish's Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino

Further press reports confirm that mid-February 2008 should be the grand opening date of the new Saganing Eagle's Landing near Standish, Michigan. The 32,000 square foot casino, which will feature approximately 700 slot machines, 40 table games, and create approximately 300 permanent jobs, was previously reported to be opening in late December, 2007.

The exterior of the casino is reportedly complete, but interior work continues. Workers are reportedly training at the Soaring Eagle Casino, also owned and operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe.

The two month delay is not unusual, but is somewhat surprising, considering the Tribe's recently re-elected chief reiterated as recently as early December that the casino was on track for a December, 2007 grand opening.

The casino is constructed in a rural area, which presented some development difficulties. The site did not have natural gas service, municipal water or sewage disposal. In addition, the casino's architect reported that the area's power lines didn't have the capacity to deliver enough electricity for the casino.