New Partner in Detroit Casino Brings Leadership
The musical chairs system of casino ownership in the Detroit area continues with Tom Celani's acquisition of 22% of the Greektown Casino. Celani, who also assumes the title of president of casino operations, made the purchase from the Sault Tribe, a branch of the Chippewa Nation.
The tribe will retain about 3/4 of the casino ownership. The deal will not be finalized until receiving the approval of the Michigan Gaming Control Board, but Celani says he is going to work right away in an effort to improve Greektown's market share. The casino has been running third in the competition with Detroit's other two casinos, Detroit MGM and MotorCity Casino.
Celani paid a reported $200 million in cash to return to the Michigan casino industry. He had previously served as treasurer for the ballot initiative that created the licenses for the three casinos, and then was an investor in MotorCity. He was disappointed not to have more control of MotorCity, and was later bought out by Marian Ilitch, wife of Mike Ilitch. Between them, the Ilitches own an assortment of businesses, including Little Caesar's Pizza, the Detroit Tigers, and the Detroit Red Wings.
The Sault Tribe hopes that Celani's leadership, the influx of cash, and a newly finished parking garage help them overcome the issues that have held their casino back, among which parking and access have been prominent. Celani, who will also hold one of ten seats on the casino's board, said being in the gambling business was a lifelong dream of his, ever since a trip to Las Vegas many years ago.
