Gaming briefs for September 15, 2004

Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004 | 11:06 a.m.

MGM lays off 150, blaming casino tax increase

DETROIT -- The MGM Grand Detroit Casino said Tuesday that it is laying off 150 workers because of an increase in Michigan's casino tax from 18 percent to 24 percent.

The casino tax increase was part of a state effort to close a gap in Michigan's budget for fiscal 2005, which begins Oct. 1. The increase took effect Sept. 1.

MGM Grand Detroit employs 2,250 people.

Greektown Casino eliminated 182 jobs last month, citing the tax. The city's third casino, MotorCity, has not decided what steps to take, said spokesman Tom Shields.

Gambling money goes to La Paz hospital

PARKER, Ariz. -- The Colorado River Indian Tribes council has approved the distribution of some gambling revenues to La Paz Regional Hospital.

Under the tribes' current gambling compact, they make a revenue contribution to a local government. In this case, La Paz County would accept the money and pass it on to the hospital.

The Tribal Council decided to dedicate funds to improve the emergency room and build a trauma center at the facility, tribal officials said.

"The La Paz Regional Hospital provides services to virtually every member of the local community, so we thought this would be an extremely beneficial use of these funds," said Tribal Chairman Daniel Eddy Jr. in a written statement.