MSU President M. Peter McPherson recently put the university's weight behind several bills that would add video slot machines and telephone and Internet wagering to Michigan's racetracks, despite considerable comments from both sides of the debate.

A portion of the revenue from the bills, which have been approved by the Michigan House of Representatives and now await a state Senate vote, most likely would head toward agriculture and higher education, which is why McPherson said he supports the bills.

"The legislation, as is proposed, provides significant revenue for agriculture research," McPherson said. "That's been my driving reason behind supporting this."

Proponents of the new gambling additions, dubbed "racinos" by some, say it could bring in as much as $400 million to the state's general fund.

But MSU Trustee Dee Cook said she doesn't want to balance the state's $920 million budget shortfall with gambling from racetracks.

Cook is not alone in her opposition to the proposal.

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, said the expansion of gambling in Michigan could have detrimental effects.

"The adverse impacts to communities that house casinos is indisputable," he said. "Theft, suicide and the number of compulsive gamblers goes up."

Rogers added that the use of revenue would only help a small portion of the agricultural community. On the other hand, he said, the state would gain several new gambling venues.

"With the stroke of a pen, you get seven new casinos," he said.

But Bill Castanier, Michigan Agricultural Recovery and Enhancement Supporters spokesman, said the bills would merely create new options for racetrack patrons, not create new casinos.

"We're actually only expanding the types of gaming we're going to do at horse-racing tracks," he said. "It's already a place where people gamble."

Castanier said the availability of gambling should not be the government's decision.

"We believe people should be able to decide how they spend their money," he said. "Limiting it would be like telling people that they can't go out to eat because they might become addicted to food."

McPherson said he agreed the proposed bill might need some improvements.

"There's probably some components of this bill that would be amended, and that would be a good idea," he said. "This is something of a work in progress, but I do think this supports agriculture."

Tom Shields, spokesman for the Citizens for Fair and Responsible Gaming, said in early December that the proposals probably won't help agriculture in Michigan.

"This battle is obviously going to continue to go on," he said. "So the agriculture community doesn't really benefit here. They're not going to sell more hay and they're not going have more horses race."

Daniel Rakieten, president, general manager and part owner of the Jackson Harness Raceway in Jackson, said his racetrack won't be able to stay open without the proposal passing.

"What people don't realize is what an agricultural impact horse racing has," he said. "It's a gutsy call. He showed charisma, and I respected him for it, but I know he's getting flak."

Amy Bartner can be reached at bartnera@msu.edu.

Dirk VanderHart can be reached at vande227@msu.edu.