Canadian tokens found in U.S. casino

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 1999 | 11:46 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DETROIT -- Tokens from Casino Windsor are starting to pop up in slot machines at the new MGM Grand Detroit Casino, despite regulations barring the practice.

The Detroit Free Press reported that several machines in the MGM Grand casino accept Windsor quarter and dollar tokens, and that several patrons say they've received Windsor tokens in slot payouts and change rolls. Since the Windsor tokens are in Canadian dollars, they're worth only about half the value of their American equivalents.

Michigan state laws require casinos to post signs on machines saying that tokens may only be played in their casino of origin. Putting tokens from a Canadian casino into a Michigan slot machine violates that state's laws, and an MGM spokeswoman told the Free Press that the casino intends to prosecute anyone caught in the act.

"We want to reinforce with casino patrons that using Windsor's tokens is criminal activity, and if they're caught, they'll be arrested," Lisa Vallee-Smith said.