Bethlehem Approves Slots
As Reported by the Morning Call

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania – "The majority of Bethlehem City Council is willing to roll the dice that a casino will jump-start the redevelopment at the former Bethlehem Steel plant but council is not taking any chances with the nuisance businesses that may try to open near a slots casino.

"Pawn shops, check-cashing businesses, massage parlors and other adult-oriented businesses would have to stay at least 5,000 feet — nearly a mile — from the slots casino and adhere to a list of restrictions according to the proposal council supported early today with a vote of 5-2.

"…Council also voted to amend the zoning laws to allow gambling in the industrial redevelopment district which covers the 124 acres of the former plant where developers want to put a casino.

"…The decision, which council must reaffirm on second reading in two weeks, came after nearly five hours of passionate pleas from mostly casino opponents. Hundreds packed Bethlehem City Hall and 30 others sang hymns and prayed outside…"

Casino Remains in Limbo
As Reported by the Detroit News

MICHIGAN –"Since June, gamblers at the Kewadin Shores Casino and Hotel in the Upper Peninsula have enjoyed the amenities of a new $36 million resort -- restaurants, a stylish lounge, an indoor pool -- overlooking picturesque Horseshoe Bay on Lake Huron.

"But what they haven't been able to enjoy is the centerpiece of the resort: a 29,070- square-foot casino with 800 slot machines and 26 gaming tables.

"A portion of the new casino was mistakenly built on land on which the U.S. government says Indian gambling is not allowed.

"As the casino sits empty, debate lingers among the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians about who is responsible for the blunder. The tribe's current and former chairmen blame each other. And as the tribe works quickly to build a $2.5 million tent-like substitute casino, some hold slim hope that the federal government will eventually let the tribe use the vacant hall for gambling.

"…Among the Sault tribe, there is debate about who is to blame for the construction error.

"Payment blames former tribal chairman Bernard Bouschor, who he accused of changing the location of the new casino without telling anyone. Payment replaced Bouschor as chairman in July 2004 after a bitter election. The men haven't spoken since…"