Gaming briefs for August 7, 2003

Thursday, Aug. 7, 2003 | 11:11 a.m.

Board turns casino down

NEW ORLEANS -- The Orleans Levee Board has turned aside a move by Bally's Casino to get financial relief from its lease.

The board's decision Tuesday to stop considering the request basically leaves the riverboat casino with two options -- exercise a 10-year extension on its current lease by Aug. 23 or allow the lease to expire in October.

Bally's officials, who say the casino lost $11.5 million between 2000 and 2002, are seeking a restructured agreement with the board that would cost the flood control agency nearly $900,000 a year in future rent payments.

Bally's likely would lose its gambling license if it allowed the lease to expire, board president James Huey said. The casino also could be moved to another city.

Court rules for gaming board

LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan Gaming Control Board has exclusive authority over the licensing and regulation of non-Indian casinos located in Detroit, the state Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.

The appeals court in a 2-1 decision reversed a ruling by Wayne County Circuit Court and said businesses providing goods and services to a casino are suppliers that must be licensed. It also found businesses must make their case under administrative rules before going to court for relief.

Plaintiffs in the case, who were at one time part-owners of the company that operates the Greektown Casino in Detroit, filed a request for exemption from the licensing law.

Mayor wins $500,000

DAWSON, Ga. -- A small-town mayor saddled with legal problems has won the largest prize possible -- $500,000 -- on a Georgia Lottery scratch-off ticket.

Dawson Mayor Robert Albritten, scheduled to go on trial next month on 19 counts of insurance fraud and nine counts of forgery, bought the winning ticket over the weekend.

Albritten has declined to comment on his legal problems and he did not return a call from the Associated Press on Wednesday.

However, lottery officials confirmed Albritten won the largest prize possible in the 10th Anniversary Instant Game. He purchased the ticket at the U.S. Food Mart in Sasser, about 10 miles east of Dawson.