The group Citizens for More Michigan Jobs wants to create eight more casinos in Michigan. They have gathered enough petition signatures to put the issue on the November ballot.
Michigan currently has 25 casinos and eight more would be added if this gets on the statewide ballot in November. And backers are confident of that.
The citizens for more Michigan jobs has reportedly surpassed the 330,000 signatures needed to be on the ballot.
The tribal casinos have launched a series of ads asking citizens not to sign the petition and in one radio ad, it is alleged local residents would lose the right to vote on a new casino.
"This petition was put together by two Lansing politicians who want to take away your right to vote in your neighborhood," said one ad.
The petition spokeswoman asserts that is a lie. Citizens will have veto power over any new casinos under this plan.
The state lottery director is concerned about the competition and the impact 33 casinos might have on lottery sales.
"Every casino has cost us revenue so the lottery has gone down or the rate of growth has slowed at least with the opening of casinos," said Scott Bowen with the Michigan lottery.
Tribal casinos oppose the addition of new new casinos in Detroit, DeWitt, Pontiac, Grand Rapids, Romulus and two other townships.
"Gaming is doing well in Michigan. There is room for it. If you look at the tribal casinos, they are proposing more sites, so it's kinda hypocritical for them to say they don't want any more state casinos," said Emily Gerkin-Palsrok with the Citizens for More Michigan Jobs.
The petitions must be filed by July 9th and the state will decide if enough names were obtained.
