Emporian on panel reviewing casino proposals
The Associated Press
Originally published 03:01 p.m., May 20, 2008
Updated 03:01 p.m., May 20, 2008
TOPEKA — The Kansas Lottery Commission began the second of two days of hearings this morning on proposals from those wanting to operate three state-owned and operated casinos. Jeanine McKenna, a commission member from Emporia, said the process was going smoothly.
The commission heard from four applicants for a Sumner County casino — Sumner County Ventures, which includes MGM Grand and Foxwoods, and Sumner Gaming Joint Venture, which includes Harrah’s, both wanting to locate in Mulvane.
Two others, Marvel Gaming of Las Vegas and Penn National Gaming of Wyomissing, Pa., are pushing for a location in Wellington.
Today, the commission was hearing from five applicants for Wyandotte County and two for Ford County. The commission could then decide how many contracts to endorse to forward to the Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board, which will make the final picks.
The commission can endorse as many as it wants. It expects to vote today on which ones to accept. Earlier this month, it endorsed a contract with Penn National, the sole bidder for a Cherokee County casino.
McKenna, president and chief executive officer of the Emporia Chamber of Commerce, serves on the gaming commission panel listening to the proposals.
“Right now, I think it’s more just a matter of formality, of listening to the different proposals and making sure the different areas that we have to make sure are in those proposals are there,” she said this morning. “And so far, they have been.”
When hearings began Monday, not everybody who showed up was in favor of the idea.
A group of Mulvane residents opposed to a casino in their town planned to attend the meeting. In a news release, it noted the majority of the town is in Sedgwick County, which last year rejected a casino.
A law enacted last year allows resort casinos in Sumner, Cherokee, Wyandotte and Ford counties, plus slot machines at race tracks in Kansas City and Frontenac. It requires the manager to invest at least $225 million, plus pay a $25 million privilege fee within 30 days.
Under the law, the Lottery contracts with developers to build and operate casinos, but makes clear the facilities are state-owned and operated. The state hopes to eventually collect some $200 million a year from the new gambling.
The commission action comes as the gambling law is under review by the Kansas Supreme Court, chiefly over the question of whether what the Legislature calls “state-owned and state-operated casinos” really are that.
The state constitution allows a state-owned and operated lottery, and the Supreme Court said in 1994 that the term “lottery” was broad enough to include slot machines and other casino games.
The justices heard arguments last week on an appeal of a district court ruling in February that upheld the law. They gave no indication when they will rule.
The commission decides if the contracts meet the requirements of the law, including the minimum investment. In Ford County, that is a $50 million investment and $5 million fee.
Once it gets the contracts, the review board will do its own study with its consultants and staff. It expects to announce its decisions in August and September.
The board will consider issues such as whether a contract brings the most revenue to the state, encourages tourism and is in the state’s best interest. The final word will come from the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, which will conduct background checks.
wookdog13 (anonymous) says...
Why did they even bother publishing this article when Lyon County has no chance? This is a real shame for Emporia. If we could have a casino we could be a thriving community instead of a dieing community. A casino would provide jobs, our hotels would prosper (sales would be tremendous if we had places to shop). Take a look at OK for example, and what they have given to their school systems and etc.
We would have a chance for more business and our so called leaders would not have to spend our tax money on their Vegas trips trying to get business to come here.(What is wrong with this picture?)
We have an ideal location, west of the high school and quick access form the turnpike exchange. Believe me I am for anything in this county that will help with taxes and government waste.Gosh, we might even be able to have real conventions on retailing right here in Lyon County where our manager and commissioner could stay and not spend one dollar of our tax money. I feel really sorry for those who choose to close their eyes on what is happening in Lyon county.
Wake up and see how other places prosper from thier casinoes.OK City is one of nations least cities to be effected by the recession. I am beginning to think that Kansas is a very backward state and very backward people. Thanks
May 21, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
Dodge City would be a better "destination" casino,but I'd rather Kansas could survive without a "tax on Kansans who are bad at math".Don't care what proponents say the revenues are,casino and hotel jobs are poor paying.Employees aren't treated all that well.Has your school's budget improved since gambling was made legal? Is your county budget balanced? Have the decaying highways and bridges improved? Have the decaying college buildings had repairs paid for yet? Do you look forward to paying those low,low Kansas taxes? (I am laughing here)
Ain't been to Vegas for 7 or 8 years,or the local ones for about the same.Had a good time out West,but I don't care for gambling here.Please go! Spend your money! Better you than me.
May 21, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
blue...you got it right
May 21, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )