The legislative action on expanded gambling already looks like a pinata has just cracked open in the Capitol rotunda, with stakeholders scrambling for goodies. But there was one encouraging sign for south-central Kansas this week — language to add Sedgwick and Sumner counties to the areas that could have casinos, which also might include Wyandotte, Crawford, Cherokee and Ford counties. Sedgwick County voters would have until Jan. 1 to vote on whether they wanted a casino; Sumner County voters already stated their preference for one in 2005. Legislation to allow slot machines at Wichita Greyhound Park also is in the mix of gambling bills being discussed in a House committee, with potential proceeds tied to fixing campuses, providing property-tax relief and shoring up the state pension fund.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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16 Comments
If South Central Kansas is allowed a casino, it shouldn’t be done half assed with just slot machines at the dog track — build a nice destination casino / resort, with a variety of table games …
It seems Ruffin has a strangle hold on the legislature to allow him the slots at his failing dog track — it should be open to some bidding process ….
For the life of me, I can’t understand why people are so anxious to go throw their money away. I have been to casinos in Vegas; Atlantic City; New Orleans; Tunica, MS; Deadwood, SD; Cathedral City, CA; etc., and have never yet seen anyone become a millionaire.
Obviously, the people behind the casino make a ton of money, but why are so many people so anxious to throw away cash?
I am support freedom of choice, and fail to see why the legislature continues to stand in the way of people who want to engage in that foolishness. I just cannot comprehend the mad rush to throw money away.
raptor – agree 100%. Can’t see the attraction but I don’t see the attraction of country music or opera either. To each his own …
Knowing our County Commission Jan 1 could be a problem. After this up-coming election (probably already too late to get in) is there a county-wide election this year? I guess they could do a special but doubt they would.
Ken – agree also. However I don’t know just how big a facility could be viable with all the other ones in place. I still lean toward something a bit more modest – similar to the one in Montreal.
Count me a NO. Never been, have no intention of going, have no intention of assisting others in making the casino operators rich and my fellow citizens poorer.
But if it passes, fine. I’ll just consider it as I do the lottery: a voluntary tax on the stupid.
GM is exactly right on the “voluntary tax on the stupid”, but we should have the chance to vote on it.
Raptor – I’ve actually seen quite a few people win large amounts of money in Deadwood but of course those are the exceptions, not the rules. I have no problems with casinos, it’s the individuals that are stupid enough to put everything they have on the line thinking that they are going become rich. As a form of entertainment when you know your limits, it can be quite enjoyable.
YES,YES to full blown casino with card gaming, sports book, shows etc. NO, NO to slots only, Oklahoma had to have a 2nd vote after they went slots only to add card games. Did not get the big money players in. Big money is in Blackjack, Poker et al. Plus the slots are the Blue Hair Walmart set. They set their all day and play nickel and quarter slots.
Obviously you have them but dont rely ONLY on them.
And the most important part is to NOT go the Indian gaming route, authorize the casino then go with Vegas management types. Do not give monopoly to anyone. You will get sucked in big time , City, county or some entity must have a big hammer hanging over whomever runs it.
Plus gambling is the best way to tax people and make them feel good about it. See it as sort of a tax to help pay for the stupids out there that need taken care of.
These are the same people that blow a lottery winning in an average of 7 years. So we need to make sure we can get some of it while they are pissing it away and use it for education and pot holes.
I don’t agree with throwing away your money with gambling. But if people are going to do it, do it big time. Invite a gambling entrepreneur from Vegas and discuss with him/her and how to do it probably.
Perhaps they bring in a few consultants. (rim shot) :)
I am responsible enough, in our Legeslators eyes, to carry a loaded concealed weapon. But, I am not responsible enough to put my own quarter into a slot machine.Hypocritical, absurd.I am Conservative as the day is long, but, sometimes the Republican party embarrases me.They do not seem to be the party of Freedom any longer.
And, another thing …….Why does the Topeka-Kansas City corridor get everything they want. Casinos, racetracks, star bonds, better highways, etc … While south-central Kansas is let to fend on it’s own?We are the largest city in the State, but, seem to have little/no clout in Topeka.
How can our local Legislators justify that?
Should the City own the Hyatt? If the hotel could be sold to a Casino group and they fix it up (raise room rates likely), city could use those funds for other projects.
Long term scheduling now for groups using Century II, but the obvious need for that facility is interior remodeling. Could the roof be raised. Whatever improvement the facility needs.
If that interior could be “sold” to a Casino group and improved, great. The City will have funds to use on other things.
City is not rushing to spend money remodeling Century II.
Casino’s create shows to see. Don’t we need more entertainment downtown.
Some want a new convention center, where to put that downtown, a huge question.
The Library building, officials there already announced desire for a larger building, built elsewhere downtown. That city property could sold to a Casino group.
Then the gathering of people in an entertaining venue. Its beer money spent playing slots or card games for some of us. Just fun to gamble less $100 and see what happens.
For some of us, once a month.
People smoke everyday, drink, spends thousands ruining their health. Those costs add up as health gets worse.
Adding gambling will be hard on some people. Its choices everyone has to make.
I see city property can be sold, its a good tradeoff to me.
The Casino has to be a $200 Million dollar destination says the state license, I think. More tables than slot machines.
If we contain the slot machines to that one Casino building, we will be better off.
No slots at the dog track. Ruffin should use his influence and get the right kind of Casino license that he wants.
But he must conform to our citizen desires. We could limit his ideas of expanding slot machines inside this county.
People complain about taxpayer money, the county or city use. No taxpayers dollars can be used for casino. No Star Bonds can be used for Casino properties. Casino has to pony up $200 Million.
We should get the chance to vote.
Most of us “gamble” every week. If you have a mutual fund, retirement annuity or other “investment” that “gambles” on the stock market, real estate or gold, you are really doing anything the average gambler in a casino is doing- putting at risk your money in hopes of making more money. The odds and payoffs might be different but you get the idea.
Casinos are really not the gold mine they used to be. There are too many of them for one thing. Virtually everybody in the country is within a few hours drive of a casino and if you don’t want to bother, you can gamble right at home on the internet! If Wichita really wants one, fine but don’t expect a big gold mine out of it. Maybe they can turn Century II into a huge gaming hall with a big tacky neon sign on it!
I don’t care if they open 10 Casinos and put slots in the dog track.
All good in my book. I wouldn’t put a dime in a slot or sit at a poker table.
But I don’t care if other people do it.
SO much money is going out of this state. That gaming money is going to Missouri and Oklahoma helping those states. FULL SCALE gaming should be encouraged and pushed in our state of Kansas. Keep this money within our borders instead of going out of our state. It is beyond me why the Kansas Legislature continues to drag its feet on this issue. KEEP THE MONEY HERE!!!!!
Listening to Neal the “Bore” Boortz on the radio while making my way to West Wichita, what he said about Gambling and specifically Lottery Tickets.
Boortz said,
“Lottery Tickets are a tax on the ignorant.”