Casinos have paid over $1 billion in taxes, fees to Detroit; money used for more police patrols

9/11/2007

DETROIT Casinos have paid just over $1 billion in taxes and fees to Detroit since the first opened nearly eight years ago. Some of that money has been used to increase police patrols, contributing to a decrease in downtown crime over a five-year period beginning in 2001.

Amount of money the city has received each year:

1999: $26.6 million (taxes and fees from MGM Grand and MotorCity)

2000: $86.5 million (Greektown opened part-way through the year)

2001: $112.7 million (first year all three casinos open for full year)

2002: $124.7 million

2003: $125.8 million

2004: $140.1 million

2005: $161 million

2006: $171.1 million

January-July 2007: $92.4 million (wagering taxes only)

Major crime incidents downtown 2001-2005:

Homicide: 9 (2001), 5 (2005)

Rape: 11, 10

Robbery: 149, 173

Felonious assault: 245, 177

Burglary: 131, 168

Larceny: 1,888, 1,079

Motor vehicle theft: 594, 413

SOURCES: Michigan Gaming Control Board; Michigan Metropolitan Information Center, Wayne State University.

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