Wednesday, March 12, 2008

MGM Mirage Trying to Make the Rules

A consistent topic on this blog is companies' trying to make the rules to control competition. Here's another clever example from Business Week.

MGM Mirage, which recently opened an $800 million casino in downtown Detroit, opposes approval of two Native American casinos in Michigan. One creative way MGM Mirage managers are fighting the approval is by funding a grassroots campaign called Gambling Watch.

To the average Michigan resident, Gambling Watch would likely be perceived as an anti-gambling organization opposed to the expansion of casinos in Michigan: a recent flyer proclaims: "Washington Poised to Force Two New Casinos on Michigan Families. Only You Can Stop the Special Interests." Those in the know realize, however, that the purpose of Gambling Watch seems most likely to be controlling competition.

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