Fri, Aug 08 2008
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Published May 19, 2008 10:48 pm - TOPEKA, Kan. — As the Kansas Lottery Commission began two days of hearings Monday on proposals from those wanting to operate three state-owned and state-operated casinos, not everybody who showed up was in favor of the idea for Sumner County. The commission heard from Sumner County Ventures, which includes MGM Mirage and Foxwoods; and Sumner Gaming Joint Venture, which includes Harrah’s Entertainment, both wanting to locate in Mulvane in Sumner County. Lottery Commission considers casino applications The Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. — As the Kansas Lottery Commission began two days of hearings Monday on proposals from those wanting to operate three state-owned and state-operated casinos, not everybody who showed up was in favor of the idea for Sumner County. The commission heard from Sumner County Ventures, which includes MGM Mirage and Foxwoods; and Sumner Gaming Joint Venture, which includes Harrah’s Entertainment, both wanting to locate in Mulvane in Sumner County. Two others, Marvel Gaming of Las Vegas, formed by the Binion Family Trust in Las Vegas; and Penn National Gaming of Wyomissing, Pa., are pushing for a location near Wellington. On Tuesday, the commission will hear from five applicants for Wyandotte County and two for Ford County. Commission Chairman Harold Nye, of Hays, said he didn’t know when the commission would vote, although it faces a deadline of next Tuesday. It can endorse as many contracts as it wants and forward them to the Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board, which will make the final picks. Earlier this month, the commission endorsed a contract with Penn National, the sole bidder for a Cherokee County casino. The commission decides if the contracts meet the requirements of the law, including the minimum investment of $225 million and a $25 million privilege fee for all except Ford County where it’s a minimum $50 million investment and a $5 million fee. “The question is, do they met the threshold in the law and if they do, they go to the review board,” said Ed Van Petten, Lottery executive director. Two groups of Mulvane residents, about 50 against the casino and another 100 for it, attended the meeting. Some supporters wore green T-shirts endorsing Harrah’s while opponents had signs reading “Mulvane Says No Casino.” They sat quietly as the presentations were made. Les Sims, chairman of the opposition group, told reporters a casino will lead to increased crime, bankruptcy and other social ills. He also said the majority of Mulvane is in Sedgwick County where voters last year rejected a casino. “Morally, it’s not loving your neighbor when you try to take money from your neighbor’s pocket and put it in yours,” Sims said. But Joe Johnson, a Mulvane city councilman, disagreed, saying, “It’s the best plan for Sumner County and the state. It maximizes revenues.” All four developers proposed a resort casino with a hotel, 2,000 slot machines and about 50 tables with various games. Other features included restaurants, health clubs, spas and convention centers. All said they would be operating in 2010. 
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