Legislation that would authorize casino gambling at Kansas racetracks including The Woodlands, the state’s only Thoroughbred track, has passed the House and has moved to the Senate.
The measure would permit casinos in Wyandotte County, near Wichita and Dodge City, and in southeast Kansas. It would also allow 2,200 slot machines divided among The Woodlands and Greyhound tracks in Wichita and Frontenac. (The Woodlands offers horse and dog racing.)
The House gave final approval to the bill March 26 on a vote of 64-58, the Kansas City Star reported. No Senate vote has been scheduled, though supporters told the newspaper they believe the legislation has a shot at passage.
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius expressed her support for the plan, the Star reported, and termed it a “responsible expansion” of gambling.
The legislation would give the state 22% of casino revenue and 40% of slot-machine revenue, the newspaper reported. Racetracks would get 25%, horse and dog racing 7%, local governments 3%, problem gambling programs 2%, and a “horse benefit fair fund” 1%. Casino operators would pay a $25-million operator’s fee and $2,500 per slot machine.
