Gambling Proposals Fail To Reach Ballot In Michigan

The state of Michigan has one of the top gambling markets in the US in Detroit. The city has a large casino gambling industry, but several groups wanted even more gambling in the state. On Tuesday, that dream was placed on hold for at least one more year.

Two separate groups spent months attempting to collect signatures in order to get their proposals on the ballot. Neither group was successful, and they became only a couple of the many initiatives that fell short.

One of the proposals would have allowed casinos in Flint, Benton Harbor, Muskegon, Port Huron, and at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The other proposal was seeking to allow gambling at state racetracks. With Detroit already having casinos, voters may have been slow to place their signatures in favor of expanded gambling.

In other states, gambling has also become a main issue. Alabama has a gubernatorial race taking place in which candidates are voicing their stance on electronic bingo machines. Alabama politicians have been battling for the better part of the past year over the legality of gambling halls that are offering the electronic machines.

In Massachusetts, legislators in both the House and Senate have approved expanded gambling plans. Unfortunately, the plans are vastly different, and a group is being created to attempt to reconcile the two bills. The main issue may become whether or not to allow slots at state racetracks.

The House was the first to approve a casino resort plan, but their version also gives slots to the tracks. Governor Duval Patrick has long been in favor of casino resorts, but has indicated he may veto any legislation that allows slots at the tracks.

July 6, 2010
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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