 
Cris
Member
Username: Cris
Post Number: 436
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 8:24 pm: |    |
So, my husband has been checking out locations for a national sports tournament in Detroit next year, and looked into both the new MGM Grand and the Motor City Casino (as well as the Ren Cen... it has to have a large convention/ballroom type space as well as hotel rooms and be available July 08).
Anyway, he discovered that the MGM Grand is unable to host any type of event that includes people under the age of 21. The design of the new facility requires people to pass through the casino in order to reach the hotel/convention center and the Michigan gaming commission doesn't allow people under 21 to enter a casino, even to pass through. I don't think anyone under the age of 21 will even be able to stay in the hotel.
How many events will they lose due to this? It would work in Vegas, where people can walk through a casino with their kids, but not here. |
Cris
Member
Username: Cris
Post Number: 437
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 8:33 pm: | |
Almost forgot-- the rooms at Motor City are gorgeous. No pool there though... |
Spiritofdetroit
Member
Username: Spiritofdetroit
Post Number: 540
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 8:36 pm: | |
interesting.... that will prove costly |
Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 2744
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 8:44 pm: | |
There are kids running all over the Mirage casino in Las Vegas. Of course they can't gamble though. |
Detroitplanner
Member
Username: Detroitplanner
Post Number: 1337
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 9:09 pm: | |
No biggie, just hold it at another hotel. |
Downtown_remix
Member
Username: Downtown_remix
Post Number: 439
Registered: 03-2007
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 9:16 pm: | |
aaaw forget them kids,,, Detroit casinos are no place for kids, theres no NEW YORK, NEW YORK, NO CIRCUS CIRCUS, NO STATOSPHERE HERE.
ThIS is D E T R O I T. The lil rug rats could possibly be allowed in the hotel an some amenities, but be restricted from casino spaces. Its possible to regulate this. |
Jman
Member
Username: Jman
Post Number: 82
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 9:19 pm: | |
MGM probably wants no one under 21 in their building. Minors won't contribute to profit. The casinos in Las Vegas tried the family thing and are backing off of it now. |
Iheartthed
Member
Username: Iheartthed
Post Number: 1239
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 9:21 pm: | |
That sucks. I wonder why they didn't take that into account? I'm sure they will be lobbying vigorously for a change to that law. I remember going to Vegas as a kid when they were still trying to market it as the new Disney World. |
Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 2745
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 9:31 pm: | |
quote:The casinos in Las Vegas tried the family thing and are backing off of it now. That's true but I doubt minors were adversely affecting their profit. |
Detroithabitater
Member
Username: Detroithabitater
Post Number: 25
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 9:37 pm: | |
I personally think another design flaw is the facade facing Mich Ave if you are traveling west to east. The entire building's "front" is biased towards downtown.
-dh |
Lmichigan
Member
Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 5851
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 9:58 pm: | |
I seriously doubt that this law is something heavily enforced within the casinos, if it even exists, and doubt even more seriously that MGM doesn't know the casino laws in Michigan.
(Message edited by lmichigan on July 27, 2007) |
Cris
Member
Username: Cris
Post Number: 439
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:06 pm: | |
The reason it's a problem is that it limits the types of events that can be held at MGM. This is an event that will fill hundreds of hotel rooms for a weekend, bringing in people from all around the country. Not a problem for us (event organizers/customers)because as someone else said, we just choose another location. But MGM's inability to host people under 21 will continue to take hotel nights and convention $$$ away from them and, overall, the City of Detroit will continue to lose out on some events because of the limited choices downtown. |
Cris
Member
Username: Cris
Post Number: 440
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:10 pm: | |
Lmichigan, yes, it is enforced. Yes, it does exist. And yes, MGM knows the casino laws, which is why they explained to him that they can't host any convention that includes any people under 21 because you have to go through their casino to enter the convention center and hotel.
Motor City Casino designed theirs with a separate entrance for the hotel/casino so that they would not have this problem.
(Message edited by cris on July 27, 2007) |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 4963
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:13 pm: | |
Lmichigan, they have guards stationed at all entrances to all Detroit 3 casinos. If you don't look 21, they will ask you for ID. |
Cgunn
Member
Username: Cgunn
Post Number: 65
Registered: 01-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:14 pm: | |
Will the City of Detroit really loose that much? They are 2 other hotel properties that are not directly attached to the Casino. MotorCity convention facility is not attached to the casino as well. |
Shark
Member
Username: Shark
Post Number: 276
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:24 pm: | |
I'm sure MGM knows what they are doing. |
Cgunn
Member
Username: Cgunn
Post Number: 66
Registered: 01-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:29 pm: | |
^^ Agreed. It's almost like saying a restaurant that only allows those of drinking age to enter are less off than those that allow children in thier restaurant. |
Cris
Member
Username: Cris
Post Number: 441
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:33 pm: | |
I know what you're saying, but a hotel and convention center are not the same as a casino, and they would make more money if they treated it that way. |
Supersport
Member
Username: Supersport
Post Number: 11645
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:34 pm: | |
quote:I seriously doubt that this law is something heavily enforced within the casinos
You must be fuckin' kidding right? The Michigan Gaming Control Board would take such an offense VERY seriously, and intentional disregard would lead to some very serious fines. Consider it to be much more heavily enforced than minors trying to buy alcohol.
Secondly, how is this considered a design flaw? If kids can't gamble in the casino, what business would they have staying in the hotel rooms? These rooms were created for the gamblers, not for use by the general public.
As for checking id's, I'm told that it's not unusual for somebody to be arrested for an outstanding warrant when they go to collect their winnings and they submit their id. Michigan State Police have stations on site to deal with such issues. How would you like to win the big jackpot, only to be hauled off in handcuffs! Talk about raining on a parade. |
Cgunn
Member
Username: Cgunn
Post Number: 68
Registered: 01-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:37 pm: | |
When you go into Greektown they STARE at your ID to make sure that you are correct person on the ID, then they swipe it through the machine. |
Cris
Member
Username: Cris
Post Number: 442
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:43 pm: | |
Supersport, a convention center is a place with numerous banquet rooms and such. People might book the banquet rooms for meetings, award ceremonies, catered dinners, weddings, work parties, or certain types of competitions that don't involve gambling and might involve teenagers or 20-year-olds. They pay a lot of money to use the facilities. There are only a few such facilities in downtown Detroit (though there are many in the surrounding area). That's why it would make sense, it seems, to design it so that they don't have to limit the hotel and convention area to over-21s.
To me this seems obvious, but I guess it's not. |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 4967
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:50 pm: | |
Cris, I see what you're saying, but generally a Casino is going after the gaming crowd, and weddings and certain other events are probably not the type of events that generate a lot of gaming revenue.
I'm sure they've thought this through... |
Cris
Member
Username: Cris
Post Number: 443
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:55 pm: | |
I'm sure they did too, but it seems silly IMO. Fortunately, when the Book-Cadillac opens it will offer additional convention/banquet/hotel options for the city. |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 4969
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 11:01 pm: | |
That is true (about the Book-Cadillac). In fact the new addition they are building will contain a new ballroom larger than the B-C Grand Ballroom that they are restoring. |
Cris
Member
Username: Cris
Post Number: 444
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 11:05 pm: | |
Just one other thought, too-- Take a wedding for example. If someone booked a room at the convention center for a wedding with 300 guests, a small handful of the guests might be under 21. But most of them would be over 21. Many of the over-21 wedding guests would eventually make their way to the casino and spend money there. Most of the out-of-town guests would probably stay in the hotel. Lots of money going into the casino, the hotel, and the convention center. But if no one under 21 is allowed, and it means excluding some close relatives, the bride and groom would choose another location. It's all lost money for MGM... |
Cgunn
Member
Username: Cgunn
Post Number: 69
Registered: 01-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 11:12 pm: | |
I couldn't image the lost be that bad. I've booked events before, and most of the money is made at either the BAR or in catering. I"m sure it's not that big of a deal to MGM. |
Lmichigan
Member
Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 5853
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 11:20 pm: | |
Sport, I doubted its existence, because I walked through Greektown Casino on a few occasions when not of age, and hardly looked of age, without harrasment. Maybe, I just happen to be walking through on a few good days?
(Message edited by lmichigan on July 27, 2007) |
Jfried
Member
Username: Jfried
Post Number: 1026
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 2:13 am: | |
BS lmich. Just admit you don't know what you're talking about. I've been to Greektown MANY, MANY times. Anyone who looks under 35 is asked for ID. They are very militant about this. I've even been thru with my father who is 49 & been ID'd.
And give me a break, Cris is obviously an event planner that knows what she/he is talking about. Even if the MGM's main revenue source is gaming, it would still be prudent for an access point for those under 21. There is a lot of expectations (and already some proof that the hotel will fully book during big events i.e. auto show) but it only make sense to keep all options open. Im sure it could be a desireable place for weddings/ other family type events, so it would make sense to keep their options open.
Shit, if it works out I'll be having my sweet sixteen party there. But that is only if my parents still plan to but me a new rover truck & get lil' wayne to perform  |
Mind_field
Member
Username: Mind_field
Post Number: 753
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 2:47 am: | |
Greektown is very vigilant about checking ids, they ask you to remove your hat and they do stare at the photo on your d. liscense. So LMich, how did you enter the casino underage?
I'm in total agreement with Cris. It seems very foolish to only allow +21 year olds to stay at the hotel. It's obvious that gamblers are their main guests at the hotel, but gamblers travel with family sometimes, so that would eliminate them from gaming (as much) at MGM..just seems dumb to me.
Cris, have you tried the Ren Cen? I think that would be the ideal location, with all it's ammenities and the spectacular new riverwalk. |
Ramcharger
Member
Username: Ramcharger
Post Number: 388
Registered: 05-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 4:25 am: | |
Cris, was your husband actually told by MGM officials that minors will not be allowed in the hotel or were they just talking about the ballroom/convention facilities? I ask because, although the buildings are connected, from the outside it seems that it would be a simple matter to have an entrance to the hotel that would not require walking through the casino.
In the case of Greektown Casino, minors are allowed to enter the building to access the people mover station and the first floor portion that used to be Trappers Alley. They are not, of course, allowed to enter the casino however. |