Racinos Make Another Push in Michigan

We overheard a little something on the radio this morning that stated the petition drive for a Racino vote is on schedule for next year. It is debatable whether or not Michigan needs more casinos (or racinos in this case), but racetracks want the revenue that comes with legalized slot machines.

From the Detroit News:

Backers of a campaign to open eight more casinos in Michigan intend to start circulating petitions within six weeks to put a proposal on next year's ballot after their petition language won approval today.

The four-member Board of State Canvassers, a state elections panel, approved unanimously the wording for a constitutional amendment submitted by Racing to Save Michigan, a group led by officials at Hazel Park Harness Raceway. Five of the casinos would be at horse racing tracks.

Supporters say it will save the struggling horse racing industry and provide about $750 million in annual tax revenue to the cash-starved state and local governments.

Opponents say Michigan voters spoke on this issue in 2004 when they passed a ballot measure restricting gambling expansion. "I'm not sure there's an appetite out there for eight new casinos," said Tom Shields, spokesman for MotorCity Casino in Detroit.

What's worth some concern is the fact that the petition will allow 8 racinos with 5 of them located at racetracks around the state. So, that leaves 3 sites that are completely unaccounted for. Where will these racinos be located?

For further information, please see Mark Hornbeck, Board approves 'racino' ballot petition, The Detroit News, October 14, 2009.