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Kansas Gambling Expansion Debate Heats Up

KANSAS – As reported by the Topeka Capital-Journal: "Advocates of expanding casino and video lottery gaming in Kansas made an aggressive play Monday that triggered an equally forceful rebuke from Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' chief legal counsel.

"A consortium of gaming industry tycoons, city and county economic development officials and horse and dog racing leaders converged on the Senate Ways and Means Committee with a revamped proposal that would put an estimated $150 million into state coffers in the next 15 months.

"That revenue would become available, supporters said, if the Legislature authorized placement of slot machines at five existing pari-mutuel race tracks and by permitting development of at least five 'destination resort' casinos. Previously, bills identified Wyandotte, Sedgwick and Cherokee/Crawford counties as potential casino sites. Ford and Geary counties were added in the revised bill in an attempt to pull legislators on the bandwagon.

"The state would own the casinos, which would be managed by contracted companies.

"…The Kansas Supreme Court ordered the Legislature to produce a better school funding plan by April 12. So far, state lawmakers haven't warmed to calls for expanded gambling as a way to meet that larger financial obligation.

"…Matt All, chief counsel for the governor, said the Senate bill had 'substantial problems' that went beyond those expressed by veterans…"

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