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Petition Form Approved For Vote To Add Casinos

LANSING (WWJ) - It's a win for gaming enthusiasts in Michigan.

The Michigan Board Of Canvassers on Tuesday approved petition language asking voters to say "yes" to eight new casinos in the state.

The group, Citizens for More Michigan Jobs, is formally kicking off their campaign next month.

The committee's spokesperson, Emily Palsrok, said news casinos would help boost the local economy, creating an estimated 16,000 new jobs.

Aquanetta Pierce-Glass of Detroit supports the idea.

"This is important because it's about jobs. It's about changing Detroit and changing the casinos to raising the bar, to increase tourism and to help revive the city of Detroit," she said.

The group wants news casinos at the site of the Pontiac Silverdome, north of Lansing in Dewitt Township, Clinton Township, Birch Run, Grand Rapids, Romulus, Wexford County and Detroit.

The group needs to collect to collect more than 300,000 valid voter signatures to qualify for statewide ballot in November.

Opponents of the plan say our state has enough casinos, and struggling residents have better things to do with their money.

MORE: 8 New Casinos? Vote Could Come In November

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