The parent companies of the MGM Grand and MotorCity casinos, MGM Mirage and Mandalay Resort Group, are in the process of completing a merger. The Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, based in the western Upper Peninsula, says it filed a notice of intent to oppose the sale with the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati.

The court already is considering the tribe's lawsuit challenging the bidding process that preceded building of the three Detroit casinos, which were called "temporary" when built about five years ago. In 2002, the 6th Circuit Court ordered the city and developers not to build permanent casinos while the tribe pressed its case to reopen the bidding.

MGM Mirage president Jim Murren said last week during his company's quarterly earnings call the combined company planned to sell one of its two Detroit casinos, possibly by the end of the first quarter.