Judge clears way for casino opening

Friday, July 23, 1999 | 11:28 a.m.

DETROIT -- A federal judge Thursday dismissed a legal challenge to Detroit's three casinos filed by rejected gaming applicant Don Barden.

Barring other legal action, this clears the way for the Michigan Gaming Control Board to grant MGM Grand Inc. of Las Vegas its gaming license next week, and for MGM's temporary Detroit casino to open as early as July 29.

The ruling Thursday by U.S. District Judge Gerald Rosen was praised by Mayor Dennis Archer and officials of MGM Grand and the other two casino developers -- the local Greektown group and the Atwater-Mandalay Resort Group team. Mandalay Resort Group -- formerly Circus Circus -- is based in Las Vegas.

The Detroit News reported the three casinos will bring 7,700 jobs and $181 million in annual city and state taxes.

"The quicker we get casinos in play, the better off we are because we have a budget that needs to be balanced," Archer told a news conference, according to the News.

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