Associated Press News 8-31-07
A Pennsylvania company, who has gambling operations in 12 states, was the first to apply for a gaming manager's position at a state owned casino in Kansas. The Pennsylvania company proposes a $295 million hotel/casino complex in the southeast corner of Kansas, in Cherokee County. The position was filled on Friday by the Kansas Lottery, which would own the casino under the new law.
Kansas allowed, under the new law, a single casino in each of four areas and slot machines at three dog and horse racing tracks. The lottery will negotiate contracts with prospective developers and the review board will make the decision.
A former Kansas House Speaker, Tim Shallenburger, said that it's an untapped market with a lot of potential. He suggests that a casino in southern Kansas should be a great source or revenue and gross from $150-200 million. The new Law which became effective in April, states that the developer will be required to invest 225 million dollars in the gaming complex.
Tom Moody, chairman of Crawford County, said that they have an advantage over Cherokee County because of their growth in population, housing and businesses, and more opportunity to provide for the casino workers. Of course the review committee will be most concerned with what is best for Kansas. The currant deadline for the application is December 6, 2007.
Although there are 11 other states that have commercial casinos, Kansas will be the first to allow state-owne resort casinos, says the American Gaming Association.
The Pennsylvania's application was more than 1500 pages long. With all the supporting documents, the application filled 33 boxes which were delivered by truck. The company operates 12 casino and betting sites in 10 states and one in Canada .
