Detroit Voters Turning Thumbs Down on Casinos

Detroit voters were turning thumbs down on casino gambling Tuesday, while Republicans statewide chose former congressman Jim Dunn to challenge Democratic Sen. Donald W. Riegle Jr.

Dunn and Robert Huber, both millionaires, spent about $200,000 each trying to attract support for an underdog race against Riegle, a popular liberal who had no primary opposition in his bid for a third term.

The referendum on casino gambling was put on the ballot by opponents of the plan championed by Mayor Coleman A. Young, who believes that casinos can bring desperately needed money into the city and help lower its 9.6% unemployment rate.

The measure to ban gambling was winning by 64% to 36% in preliminary returns.

Public Shouting Match

Young’s opponents included many of the ministers and church members who in the past have formed the core of his constituency. A Saturday rally turned into a public shouting match between pro-casino and anti-casino forces, and all over the city preachers used their pulpits to make one last anti-casino pitch on Sunday.

“This is sending a message to the Administration that we are the ones in charge here, not he,” said the Rev. Keith Butler, of the Alliance Against Casino Gambling.

Another gambling measure fared better in Missouri, where voters passed an amendment aimed at saving the struggling state lottery by raising the jackpot limit.

In a Missouri congressional race, Rep. Richard A. Gephardt, who abandoned his bid for the presidential nomination just in time to file for reelection, piled up 82% of the vote against three little-known Democrats.