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LEGAL GAMBLING

The Nov. 2 ballot has been set as the target date for a citywide referendum on casino gambling in Detroit (SUN, April 22).

An aide to State Rep. Casmer P. Ogonowski (D-Detroit), the state legislature's outspoken casino gambling advocate, says that by November the legislature will have acted on a Michigan Economic Advisory Council (MEAC) recommendation that the citywide referendum be held.

The MEAC, a 24-member group established over a year ago to recommend actions to improve the state's economic situation, "didn't take sides on the issue, but determined that the issue - should be resolved by referendum," spokesperson Bernard Winograd said.

The matter temporarily lies in the hands of state Attorney General Frank Kelley, who must decide if the MEAC's action is enough to warrant a referendum or if the Legislature must empower the city to hold such a vote.

Kelley's decision is expected soon, Ogonowski aide Chris cisak said.

Casino gambling in Detroit, which has already received the endorsements of Mayor Young and the City Council, will be approved by voters in November, Ogonowski believes.

He told the SUN that a poll in his own 3rd District showed approval by a 2-to-1 margin.

Several downtown Detroit hotel managers have already said they would like a piece of the casino gambling action, but conflict is expected when suburban (Southfield) hotels want to get into the game, too.

If the referendum s passed, casion gambling will be controlled and conducted by a public gaming authority similar to the Michigan Bureau of State Lottery.