Kansas Gambling, Part 1
By Chris Walker (Contact)
Originally published 01:36 p.m., February 4, 2008
Updated 01:36 p.m., February 4, 2008
Jeanine McKenna is one of five people from around the state who serve on the Kansas Lottery Commission. That board’s workload has increased as it prepares to bring state-owned casinos to Kansas. McKenna is the board’s longest-serving member, having served six years.
Q Give us a little history of how we got here with state-owned casinos.
A In 2007 the governor signed a bill to allow four state-owned casinos. The state will partner with companies to bring these destination casinos to Kansas. The state will own the gaming in the casinos and then companies are vying to own the buildings, the restaurants and hotels. The businesses will get the revenue from restaurants and hotels as well as a percentage of the gaming. These state-owned casinos are unique and we will be the first state-owned casinos in the country, so people are watching us.
Q What is happening right now with the casinos and what is the lottery board’s responsibility in the process?
A Currently, applications from companies have been received by the lottery commission. The contracts are being reviewed right now by the lottery staff. Then they will be forwarded to the Lottery and Gaming Review Board, which will have 60 days to determine which contracts are best for each of the zones. Then they forward those choices to the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission and then to us for final approval.
Having state-owned casinos is being challenged right now and it was a self-challenge. They want to see if this was lawful legislation that was passed. It will be interesting to see how the Supreme Court plays that out.
Q Have you seen any of the proposals yet, and have you been amazed by the investment that the companies are willing to make?
A The proposals haven’t made it to us yet. But we have seen the basics, like how many applications have been submitted for each region. The investments by companies are considerable, since we are asking for infrastructure investments of $225 million.
Q What are the regions for the casinos, and could Emporia have been a player in bidding for one?
A There are four different regions. Kansas City/Wyandotte area, the Pittsburg area, Sumner County, and Ford County or Dodge City. Wichita had a proposal but it failed. For Emporia to have been considered it would have had to go to a vote of the people. We would have probably been in the middle region. I doubt we could have been ready to get an application in.
Q Will the casinos be a boon for the communities that receive them, and will the casinos be good for the state?
A I think the communities that will bring them in will see economic development from them. I also think they will be good for the state because the funds from them will help pay down any deficits and fund important programs. The state put in the safeguards to make sure the money is spent wisely.
Q When will the first casinos be built, and will this open the flood gates for more casinos around the state?
A The first casinos will probably be open in two to three years. But having slot machines at the race tracks will probably be faster and begin in 2008. We shouldn’t see any more casinos in the state because there is a moratorium on any gambling expansion within the state for 25 years. I think the legislature did a good job of setting up safeguards.
Q Do you think gambling will bring increased problems to the state?
A I know there are lots of concerns about the gambling problems but they have good people in place and the right safeguards. Also, some of those funds will go back into assistance and prevention.
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
This is a (another) national embarrassment for Kansas.
February 4, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slvrnblck (anonymous) says...
Why is this an embarrassment? People gamble all the time, the state is just finally cashing in on it. With the government allowing gaming the revenue will at least stay here and not go somewhere else. We may as well use the money people spend on gambling to improve our state.
February 4, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
A large number of Kansans fly to Las Vegas to gamble. Why not keep Kansas green?
February 4, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rdgrey (anonymous) says...
Why dont we just resort to selling crack to other states. As far as im concerned it is dirty money. Alot of people and families suffer from addiction to gambling and to cash in on that is no better then the drug dealer down the street. I see people who buy lottery tickets that cant even pay their water bill and getting welfare. Why would anyone think this would be a good thing is beyond me.
February 4, 2008 at 6:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PocketAces (anonymous) says...
why shouldnt we get a casino? Indian reserves get to build them, so therefore they are around kansas. as far as dirty money goes, its good fun not dirty money. I see people go buy booze/drugs that cant pay their water bill and getting welfare. I see people who go buy lottery tickets and have money? May i ask what the difference is?
February 5, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
landofoz (anonymous) says...
This is a great thing for everyone, just there are alot of people here who think it is "bad". But the people who go to Vegas will not stay here instead, are you kidding me. Lets see go to vegas, bright lights, huge billion dollar casinos, free drinks, beautiful women, legalized prostitution just outside of the city limits. Or go to a Casino in the middle of a cattle pasture, where it smells like cow dung? I will take Vegas, that is the most awesome city in this country, every city in the nation should try to model after what they have done.
February 5, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
77flint (anonymous) says...
Why didn't McKenna push for Emporia to be included. If she has been on this board for 6 yrs we should have known about this so that we could cash in. This could potentially employ hundreds for a very long time.
WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 5, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slvrnblck (anonymous) says...
Yes, gambling is addictive but so are cigarettes and alcohol. They are bad for people's health and can ruin a family as well. Just because something can addicting does not mean it's bad. There are a lot of people who are addicted to food also, so why don't we ban all the fast food places? Gambling is viewed by many as a pass time, as entertainment. Sure you could go and lose $50,$100, or $200 in a night. But you could easily spend that at a Chiefs game also.
February 5, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )