The month-long strike by 3,700 workers across MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown is taking a toll on Detroit’s gaming scene. As a result of the ongoing labor dispute, temporary closures have been announced, impacting valet services and various amenities at all three establishments.

Detroit Casinos Face Service Disruptions and Revenue Plunge Amidst Strike Fallout

Despite the casinos remaining open, the absence of valet services has forced patrons to use self-parking garages exclusively. MotorCity Casino, facing additional challenges, has seen closures in high-limit table games, first-floor slots, poker rooms, D.TOUR Spa, Lacquer Gift Shop, and the radio bar.

Hollywood Casino at Greektown has adjusted its services, reducing restaurant hours and impacting beverage offerings. While the strike has led to a decline in revenue, the resolve among striking workers remains high.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board revealed substantial revenue losses for October, the month when the strike began. Each casino reported losses ranging from $5 million to $7 million. The market shares for October were 46% for MGM, 31% for MotorCity, and 23% for Hollywood Casino at Greektown.

The financial impact is evident in the October revenue figures, showing an 18% drop in revenue compared to the previous month. The three casinos collectively reported $82.8 million in revenue, with MGM leading at $37.3 million, down 19.6%, followed by MotorCity with $25 million, down 22.8%, and Hollywood Casino at $19.4 million, down 11.7%.

Detroit Casino Council Keeps on Fighting for Workers’ Rights

Taxes paid to the state and city also decreased significantly, with a total decline of $3.9 million compared to October 2022. The workers’ strike, which began on October 17, has affected not only gaming revenue but also retail sports betting, which recorded a 23% decline in handle, dropping to $18.1 million.

The impact on retail sports betting revenue is substantial, with a 46.9% year-over-year decrease. The MGM Grand Detroit saw the most significant decline, recording just $4.7 million in handle, a 51.1% drop from October 2022.

As the strike continues into November, the future looks challenging for Detroit’s gaming industry, with potential greater losses anticipated in the coming months. 

The Detroit Casino Council, representing workers from five different unions, is advocating for improved healthcare, better wages, job security, and fair workloads. Kimberly Rector, a MotorCity worker, conveyed that they feel appreciated outside because there is a lack of appreciation inside and they will keep on striking until they achieve what they want, reported Fox 2 Detroit.

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Bardon opened up about his painful journey, marked by a gambling addiction, that followed a horrifying incident of sexual assault against a teenager he befriended at his local pitch and putt club. This revelation coincides with the victim, now 46, choosing to waive his anonymity, emphasizing the intertwining challenges of addiction and abuse.

The Perpetrator Spoke of His Troubled Life

During Bardon’s trial, he took the stand and issued a heartfelt apology for his actions. He expressed disappointment in himself, regretting that the event ever took place. He described the survivor as a gentleman, lamenting he had to go through that harrowing experience. Bardon embraced this accountability wholeheartedly, expressing his readiness to engage in ongoing treatment, marking an important milestone on the path to recovery.

I cannot assess why it happened. It was not in my nature or personality. It never should have happened.

Patrick Bardon

During his trial, Patrick Bardon revealed the profound personal challenges he faced when the abuse came to light. At the time, he was living through severe personal tragedies like the passing of his father and younger sister. These events took a toll on his emotional and mental well-being, impairing his ability to cope with the allegations against him.

After these devastating personal losses, Patrick Bardon developed a debilitating gambling addiction, exacerbating his vulnerable position. The loss of his teaching job, a profession he viewed as a vocation, was a pivotal moment in his life. The subsequent period saw him withdrawing from society and living as a hermit.

Vulnerable Individuals Are Most Susceptible to Gambling Harm

Brandon faces a sentence of 10 years in prison and suspension in the final two years on strict conditions, including that he engages with the Probation Service for two years upon his ultimate release from prison and undergoes any sexual offender treatment program as recommended. These measures will hopefully allow Brandon to cope with his failings and addictions and become a better person.

The perpetrator’s descent into gambling addiction reflects Ireland’s rising problem gaming rates. Research by the Economic and Social Research Institute revealed that 1 in 30 adults in the country suffered from gambling harm. Such data is concerning, as problem gambling harms more than just the individual, potentially impacting their families and loved ones.

The case of Patrick Bardon reflects how the gambling industry can prey on vulnerable individuals, exacerbating their fragile condition and feeding other bad habits. The perpetrator’s story of abuse and loss should be a cautionary tale about the multifaceted nature of addiction and the need for a comprehensive approach to justice and recovery.

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