Senate approves gambling plan, sends it to Sebelius
10:44 a.m. Thursday, March 29, 2007
A bill expanding gambling in Kansas won Senate approval early this morning and went to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
The measure allows destination casinos in four areas, including Ford County and Wyandotte County. The others would be allowed in either Sedgwick or Sumner County, and in either Cherokee or Crawford County.
Also, 2,200 slot machines could be spread among three race tracks, Wichita Greyhound Park, the Woodlands in Kansas City, Kan., and the now-close Camptown Greyhound Park in Frontenac.
The Senate's vote was 21 to 19 and came after a day of filibustering by supporters of the measure. In a gamble that backfired, opponents pushed for a vote, hoping to kill the bill.
Related link
View the amended Senate bill on gaming. SB 66 defines terms and lays out the terms of expanded gambling in the state of Kansas. This pdf is 78 pages long and may take a little while to load.
The gambling debate united Republicans and Democrats on both sides of the issue.
"Think about the fact that you are forever changing the face and culture of Kansas. I can't do; I vote no," said Olathe Sen. Karen Brownlee, a Republican.
But, the pro-gambling lawmakers were able to scrape together a narrow majority.
The House passed the measure Monday.
The Governor is expected to sign the bill.
Supporters believe the new gambling could generate $200 million a year in revenues to be used for debt reduction, infrastructure development and cutting local property taxes.
Opponents argued it would hurt existing businesses and cause social ills, like an increase in gambling addicts.
Highlights of the bill
Casinos
- Areas eligible for tourist-attracting casinos: Wyandotte, Sedgwick or Sumner counties, Crawford or Cherokee counties, and Ford County
- County vote of approval required
- $225 million minimum investment for casino developers
- $25 million one-time privilege fee paid to the state
- 22 percent of casino revenue goes to state
- 3 percent goes to local units of government
- 2 percent goes to problem gambling and addiction fund
Race Tracks
- 2,200 slot machines distributed among Woodlands in Kansas City, Wichita Greyhound Park and Camptown in Frontenac.
- County vote of approval required
- Tracks pay a privilege fee of $2,500 per slot machine
- 600 more slots can be distributed to the tracks after contracts for casinos have been signed
- 40 percent of slot revenue to state
- 25 percent goes to facility owner as a management fee
- 15 percent covers expenses
- 7 percent each goes to greyhound racing and horse racing
- 3 percent goes to local units of government
- 2 percent goes to problem gambling and addiction fund
- 1 percent goes to Horse Benefit Fair Fund
Comments
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Mar. 29, 2007 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)situveux1 (anonymous)
Another highlight...all casinos will be owned by the state, the first time ever in the history of the country. And the legislation will likely be tied up in court for years to come because of it. Funny how that keeps getting left out of 49 News' Reports, isn't it?
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