Regulation

Sault tribal members protest transfer of Detroit casino license

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

The Michigan Gaming Control Board approved the transfer of the Greektown Casino Hotel in Detroit to a new group of owners over protests from members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Tribal members were upset because the tribe had to undergo an extensive investigation before obtaining the state license. The board waived the requirement for the new owners.

“A rubber glove in a doctor’s office is thorough. This was beyond that,” D.J. Hoffman, a member of the tribe’s board, said of his background check, The Detroit Free Press reported.

"It's not fair to us," added tribal member Denise Chase, The Detroit News reported. "You investigated us for two years."

The tribe could have found new investors for the casino had it known about an exemption, tribal members said. "I'm just hoping that you apply the same standards that you expected of our tribe and our people," Lana Causeley said, The Detroit News reported.

The casino went through bankruptcy proceedings.

Get the Story:
Greektown Casino gets new owners (The Detroit News 6/29)
Board clears way for Greektown Casino to have new owners (The Detroit Free Press 6/29)
Michigan State trustee Joel Ferguson eyes spot on new casino board (The Detroit Free Press 6/29)

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