MotorCity Casino

Casino infobox
logo=MotorCityCasino.jpg
casino= MotorCity Casino Resort
theme=Future-retro
address=2901 Grand River Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48201


rooms=400
date_opened=December 14, 1999
space_gaming= convert|100000|sqft|m2; 2,500 gaming machines; 53 table games
attractions=
shows= TBA
1,800+ seat theatre
restaurants=Iridescence, The Assembly Line Buffet, MotorCity Pit Stop, and more
owner=Marian Ilitch
casino_type=Land-Based
renovations=
names_pre=
website= [http://www.motorcitycasino.com http://www.motorcitycasino.com]

MotorCity Casino Resort in Detroit, Michigan is one of four casinos in the Detroit-Windsor area. The newly expanded and renovated $300 million casino hotel incorporates the historic Wagner Baking Company building circa 1915. As part of the renovation, the cornerstone of this former Wonder Bread bakery has been fully restored to its original condition, preserving the signature features of the 93-year old Detroit landmark. The casino is owned by Marian Ilitch. "Forbes" reported in October 2006 that the gambling palace has annual revenues of $400+ million and operating income of $125 million, expected to rise to $180 million under the change in tax structure following completion of the resort. [Mark Tatge with Miriam Gottfried (10-09-2006). [http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2006/1009/068_print.html Encore] "Forbes".]

History

Marian Ilitch, one of the founders of the MotorCity Casino, purchased controlling interest from various minor stockholders and Mandalay Resort Group (Circus Circus Michigan)/MGM Mirage Resorts in 2005. [ [http://sec.edgar-online.com/2005/03/25/0000950124-05-001897/Section6.asp Merger agreement] "Edgar-online" (accessed 04-06-2007).] Michigan gaming laws prohibit one company from owning more than one casino property in a market, so to affect the Mandalay Resort/MGM Mirage merger the publicly traded companies had to divest MotorCity Casino, choosing to keep MGM Grand Detroit. [ [http://www.newratings.com/analyst_news/article_746253.html Mandalay Resort Group to sell holdings in Detroit casino] "Newsratings.com" (03-24-2005).] Mrs. Ilitch paid $525 million for Mandalay Resort Group's 53.5 percent interest in the MotorCity Casino enterprise. The acquisition was a merger in which Mandalay controlled Circus Circus Michigan, Inc. was survived by IH Gaming, Inc. [ [http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bcs_corp/image.asp?FILE_TYPE=ELF&FILE_NAME=D200504%5C2005115%5CE0163307.TIF Certificate of Merger] "Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth" (accessed 07-01-2007)]

MotorCity Casino is not a corporate entity; rather it is a "dba" for the Ilitch-owned and controlled Detroit Entertainment, LLC. [ [http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bcs_corp/dt_llc.asp?id_nbr=B13547&name_entity=MOTORCITY%20CASINO Corporate Filings] "Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth" (accessed 07-01-2007)]

With Mrs. Ilitch as sole owner, MotorCity Casino Hotel is reportedly one of the largest independently owned casinos in the U.S. and likely the largest and only 100 percent female-owned casino enterprise in the United States [ [http://www.ilitchholdings.com/MediaRoom/LeadershipTeam/MarianIlitch/tabid/145/Default.aspx Ilitch Holdings, Inc.] (accessed 04-06-2007)] . It is also the only locally-owned casino hotel in the city of Detroit.

Mrs. Ilitch and her husband Michael Ilitch are co-founders of Little Caesar's Pizza. They are vice chairwoman and chairman respectively of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. which includes the Detroit Red Wings NHL franchise and various food service and entertainment ventures. Michael Ilitch owns the Detroit Tigers MLB franchise.

Mrs. Ilitch and a business partner, Michael J. Malik, Sr., pursue other casino gambling interests outside of Michigan. Malik had been a founder of MotorCity Casino but was forced to sell his interests when the Michigan Gaming Control Board would not grant him a license. He sold his shares in MotorCity Casino to Ilitch. Among their other ventures: Gateway Casinos Resorts, LLC partnered with the Shinnecock Indians in the Hamptons, NY; and Barwest, LLC partners with the Big Lagoon Rancheria Indians and the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians to develop casinos in Barstow, California.

The resort's potential should not be underestimated. Just across the river, Caesars Windsor attracts about six million visitors annually.Cordiano, Joseph (February 15, 2005). [http://www.ontariocanada.com/ontcan/page.do?page=5900 Government of Ontraio invests in a competitive Casino Windsor] ."Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade". Retrieved on October 28, 2007."Casino Windsor attracts around six million visitors each year and is a key driver of the local economy."] An estimated 46 million people live within a 300 mile (480 km) radius of Metro Detroit. [ [http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/distances.html?n=77 Cities located close to Detroit] ."Time and Date world clock distances." Retrieved on September 2, 2007.] Audi, Tamara (September 26, 2007). What Happens In Detroit. "The Wall Street Journal", B6. "But the market at issue, as MGM Mirage sees it, includes a convert|300|mi|km|sing=on radius of potential overnight clients across the region,"] Since 2000, the city has seen continuous annual increases in tax revenues from its casinos; the city estimates it will collect $178,250,000 in casino taxes alone for 2007, with the casino resorts open in 2008. [ [http://www3.ci.detroit.mi.us/budget/2006-07_Budget/Charts/EB_Chart%208_%20%25%20Change%20Major%20Rev%20bar%20graph.pdf City of Detroit General Fund -Percent Change in major Revenue Sources] . "City of Detroit 2006-07 Budget"]

Graph of revenue of all 3 casinos http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Detcasinorev.jpg

Politics

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, reports required by the Federal Election Commission and the CA, MI and NY Elections Officials from 2002-2006 inidicate Ilitch family members and business partners contributed more than $900,000 to political campaigns and PACs. [ [http://docs.google.com/View?docid=ddq3kq9f_96r6w9gw] (accessed 04-06-2007).]

Federal lobbying reports required to be filed with Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives and compiled by The Center for Public Integrity indicate between $0.5-$1.3 million was directed to Wheat Government Relations (former Congressman Alan Wheat) the primary D.C. lobbyist representing Ilitch and her various partners contract with to lobby Federal officials on gaming or related matters from 2002-2005.

New Casino Hotel

The $300 casino-hotel expansion project is nearing completion. The high-tech casino expansion opened in June 2007. The 400-room, 33 suite hotel opened in November 2007 and features the only AAA Four Diamond restaurant in Detroit, an upscale ultra-lounge and a full-service spa. The property also offers a convert|65000|sqft|m2|abbr=on. meeting center, several casual dining outlets and an 1,800+ seat live entertainment theater. Legendary hot-rod car designer Chip Foose of Huntington Beach, California was a member of the design team and was instrumental in the casino-hotel's new unique exterior and interior look. [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/08-18-2006/0004418671&EDATE=]

Primary Hotel Casino Venues

Casino Expansion (new) - opened June 2007
Hotel (new) - opened November 2007
Iridescence fine dining restaurant (new location) - opened January 2008
D.Tour Spa (new) - opened April 2008
Amnesia ultra-lounge (new) - opened April 2008
Meeting Center (new) - opened May 2008
The Assembly Line buffet (new name, location)- opened May 2008
Casual dining outlets (new locations) - Summer 2008
Sound Board live entertainment theater (new) - Summer 2008

Union Activity

Bargaining employees voted to accept the proposed contract on Monday October 22. The 4 year agreement includes $1,000 signing bonus, 4% per year wage increases, preserved health benefits, and additional contract improvements.

See also

*Caesars Windsor
*Greektown Casino
*MGM Grand Detroit

Photo gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.motorcitycasino.com/ official web site of MotorCity Casino]
* [http://www.ilitchholdings.com/ official web site of Ilitch Holdings, Inc.]
* [http://info.detnews.com/video/index.cfm?id=1630 video of the MotorCity Casino Hotel outdoor LED illumination system]
* [http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mgcb/revstaxes_2007_186949_7.pdf MotorCity Casino revenue and taxes for 2007]