Barden wants share in Detroit casinos

Thursday, Jan. 6, 2000 | 9:47 a.m.

Barden met with Mayor Dennis Archer last month to ask whether the mayor would support his bid for part of the Greektown Casino, the only of the three yet to open.

Barden also asked Archer if he would try to block such a move, sources close to both men told the Detroit Free Press for a report Thursday.

"I cannot be an advocate because I was never an advocate for anyone," Archer said Wednesday. "I don't pick and choose anybody to go into the casinos."

Archer said he met with Barden at Barden's request.

Harrah's Casino Hotels of Las Vegas also said Wednesday that it is interested in buying part of the Greektown Casino.

Ted Gatzaros and Jim Papas, two of the principal investors, have received notices of deficiency warning them that the Michigan Gaming Control Board may not approve their applications to own part of the casino, sources told the Free Press.

Gatzaros and Papas own 23 percent and their wives own another 17 percent of the casino. A group of Detroit investors owns 10 percent and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians owns the other half.

During the original selection process, Archer rejected the bid of Barden, a Detroit businessman, because it did not "measure up."

Barden financed a ballot initiative in 1998 that sought to give him a casino license. He also filed a lawsuit against the city for its selection process, but it was thrown out.

Roger Martin, a spokesman for the Greektown Casino, refused comment Wednesday. The casino is nearly finished with 2,400 slot machines and 90 table games in place.

It is expected to open this spring.