MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Drake, (989) 774-7333 March 15, 2004

GAMBLING FORUM PROMISES HOT DEBATE
MOUNT PLEASANT

Bill Ballenger is worried.

Central Michigan University's Griffin endowed chairman in American government thinks his upcoming Griffin Policy Forum may be too interesting.

The forum tackles "The Future of Gambling in Michigan" on April 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Park Library Auditorium.

"It's huge and it's sexy, and everybody's got an opinion about it," Ballenger said. ^"If this issue isn't interesting, I don't know what is."

Ballenger has invited everyone from anti-gambling activists to casino advocates to participate. The panelists are: Roger Martin of Citizens for Fair and Responsible Gaming; state Rep. and Speaker of the House Pro-Tempore Larry Julian; Audrey Falcon, chief of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe; Joe Garcia, general counsel for the Michigan Racing Association; Michigan Lottery Director Gary Peters; John Truscott, former press secretary for Gov. John Engler; Rex Rogers, president of Cornerstone University; and James Hill, CMU political science professor.

Tim Skubick, host of WKAR's "Off the Record" program, will moderate.

Ballenger, an ex-state racing commissioner, said gambling is always a timely topic in Michigan.

"Michigan has become a gambling Mecca over the past decade," he said. "Outside of Nevada and maybe New Jersey, we're the biggest gambling state. Every year there has been some new controversy over gambling and what form it should take, where it should be, and how it should be regulated.

A new form of gambling, racinos, is something Ballenger expects to be hotly debated at the forum. Racinos are slot machines or video poker games offered at horse racing tracks.

"Racetracks are in serious financial trouble because of the encroachment of casinos and lotteries on their winnings," ^Ballenger says.

"Allowing gambling at racetracks is important not only because it will help a track survive, but there is a strong connection between racetracks and the agricultural industry. If horse racing folds, it will have a very negative effect on the farm economy. Nevertheless, all casino interests in Michigan are fighting hard to stop the legalization of racinos."

The Griffin Policy Forum is free and open to the public. A reception will take place in Park Library's Baber Room from 6 to 7:15 p.m. before the discussion.

CMU's Griffin program seeks to build interest and increased engagement in politics among young adults, faculty and the general citizenry. The endowment honors Robert and Marjorie Griffin, both distinguished CMU alumni.

—cjd

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY • MOUNT PLEASANT, MICHIGAN 48859
PHONE (989) 774-3197 • FAX (989) 774-1098 www.cmich.edu/public-relations
• cmuline@cmich.edu