Detroit’s third casino to open Friday

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2000 | 5:07 a.m.

To celebrate the grand opening, more than a year after the city's first temporary casino opened, the casino has planned a downtown block party and black-tie gala for opening night. Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer was set to appear, and dozens of news organizations have been invited.

The casino in the Greektown entertainment district will have 2,400 workers, about 2,416 slot machines and 103 game tables in 75,000 square feet of Mediterranean-themed space.

The casino won licensure from the Michigan Gaming Control Board on Wednesday night.

Nelson Westrin, the board's director, said an inspection of the casino earlier this week found the site materially ready to open and compliant with state requirements.

Some who work near the gambling hall said they're worried about what they say is already scarce parking. But casino officials say the casino's patrons will have access to 3,400 parking spots during the day and more than 4,000 during the night.

The casino's licensing process had been delayed for months as Greektown Casino investors Ted Gatzaros, Dimitrios Papas and their wives shopped their 40 percent stakes after state-mandated investigations uncovered problems with their backgrounds.

In August, the gambling control board approved a revised plan for the couples to sell to the Upper Peninsula's Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians their interests with no prospects of reinvesting. The 28,000-member tribe owns 80 percent of the $150 million site, having sold off 10 percent of its ownership to local minorities.

Detroit's other two casinos, the MGM Grand Detroit and MotorCity Casino, opened last year.