Lawrence, Kansas

2005 Session

Kansas Legislature

Gambling -- Betting on new revenue


Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has expressed interest in expanding gambling in Kansas to provide new revenue for the state budget, based on the findings of a 15-member gambling task force. However, her efforts are expected to create controversy.
Below you'll find the latest stories concerning expanding gambling in Kansas.
Read findings of the governor's Gaming Committee

Casino targets weekday gamblers
Sunday, May 8, 2005
Bet more, get more. Free meals. Free rooms. Free cash.

Future of gambling tied to school finance case
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Lawmakers did a lot of talking but took little action this session when it came to casinos, but gambling could become popular really fast if the Kansas Supreme Court rules against legislators in a school funding case.

House Speaker says odds improving for gambling pact
Saturday, April 23, 2005
House Speaker Doug Mays on Friday gave some gambling proponents hope to stay in the game.

Tight budget raises casino stakes
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Budget experts Monday said the Kansas economy was growing at a healthy pace, but still not fast enough for state government to avert a financial meltdown during the next couple of years.

Legislators say gambling decision depends on court
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Southeast Kansas officials say Crawford County voters sent a loud message to state lawmakers Tuesday when they approved two advisory measures supporting expansion of gambling into their county.

State, Sac and Fox tribe settle dispute over inspection of slot machines
Friday, April 8, 2005
The state and Sac and Fox tribe have settled a dispute over inspecting tribal slot machines, which could clear the way for a legislative vote on the tribe's proposal to build a new, larger casino.

Gambling again up for debate
Friday, April 1, 2005
With the legislative session hurtling toward an end, a push for expanded gambling seemed to be fizzling, at least for now.

Panel endorses gambling bill
Thursday, March 31, 2005
A bill allowing casinos in five areas and slot machines at dog and horse tracks won the endorsement of a Senate committee Wednesday, with supporters pitching it as a way to raise new dollars for education.

Sebelius aide criticizes gambling measure
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius supports expanded gambling in Kansas, but a top aide is criticizing a bill to permit casinos in five areas and slot machines at dog and horse tracks.

Gambling habit on rise among America's elderly
Friday, February 4, 2005
Eileen Chaffee, 81, regularly boards the Brandon Woods Retirement Community van that takes her to a casino so she can play the nickel slot machines. But the Lawrence woman doesn't consider herself much of a gambler.

Group proposes expanding gambling
Thursday, February 3, 2005
Gambling lobbyists trotted out a new proposal for state-owned casinos Wednesday, arguing they would provide more money for education while tapping into a lucrative tourism industry.

Tribe turning back state's efforts to inspect casino's slot machines
Sunday, January 30, 2005
One of the two tribes proposing a $210 million casino and hotel near Kansas Speedway has not let state inspectors test slot machines at its northeast Kansas casino for more than a year, state officials said.

Aide: Sebelius to wait on compact until other proposals reviewed
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius won't ask legislators to approve a casino compact with two Indian tribes until lawmakers review other gambling proposals, her chief counsel said Wednesday.

Senate president chats online about school finance, gay marriage
Thursday, January 20, 2005
(Updated Sunday at 9:12 p.m.) Senate President Steve Morris chatted Thursday with ljworld.com readers. The following is the transcript of the chate.

Park City casino proposal launched
Monday, January 17, 2005
Former Wichita Mayor Bob Knight unveiled plans for a $200 million resort casino here, complete with a 300-room hotel and an indoor-outdoor water park.

Group unveils plans for casino in Kansas
Sunday, January 9, 2005
A group seeking a destination casino in southeast Kansas has developed plans for a 250-room hotel and 80,000-square-foot casino.

Hot topics may re-emerge in 2005
Saturday, January 8, 2005
Guns, gays and gambling -- three hot-button topics of Kansas politics -- promise to have prominent roles in the 2005 legislative session that starts Monday.

Analysis: Scope of casino compact created obstacle to action
Monday, November 22, 2004
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius tried to use a casino compact with two Indian tribes to resolve thorny gambling issues this fall, but the agreement's wide scope created too big an obstacle.

Lawmaker defers casino proposal
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Sparks flew Wednesday after House Speaker Doug Mays blocked an attempt to get quick approval of a compact between the state and two American Indian tribes to build a $210 million casino and hotel in Wyandotte County.

Mays refuses to allow casino debate
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
(Updated Wednesday at 12:50 p.m.) House Speaker Doug Mays today brought down a quick gavel that prevented discussion of a proposed compact to build a casino in Wyandotte County.

Speaker wants Legislature to vote on gaming compact
Monday, November 15, 2004
(Updated Monday at 2:46 p.m.) TOPEKA -- A compact permitting two Indian tribes to open a casino in Wyandotte County won't be reviewed by legislative leaders this week, House Speaker Doug Mays said today.

Park City seeks Indian casino near Wichita
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Park City officials voted Tuesday to pursue a large Indian casino they said would create between 1,300 and 1,500 permanent new jobs in the community of slightly more than 5,400 a few miles northeast of Wichita.

Buhler responds to online questioning
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
State Sen. Mark Buhler, R-Lawrence, said Tuesday he was willing to support plans for letting Kansas tribes operate a casino in Wyandotte County.

Desire to end casino debate drives review of compact
Monday, October 25, 2004
Gambling opponents often talk as if they're trapped in a castle besieged by pro-gambling barbarians.

Committee asks tribes, Sebelius to renegotiate casino compact
Friday, October 22, 2004
A legislative committee asked the governor's office and two Indian tribes Thursday to renegotiate a gambling compact to give the tribes' proposed Wyandotte County casino more protection from competition.

Casino protection key issue in deal
Thursday, October 21, 2004
A legislative committee will scrutinize market protections granted to a proposed casino in Wyandotte County as part of a compact between Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and two Indian tribes, the panel's chairman said Wednesday.

Sebelius reveals details of casino pact
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
The rush is on. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Monday formally announced completion of a proposed compact with the Kickapoo and Sac and Fox tribes for a $210 million casino and hotel at the hottest tourist corner in Kansas -- near Interstates 70 and 435 in western Wyandotte County.

Governor's office advances casino plans
Monday, October 18, 2004
(Updated Monday at 3:34 p.m.) Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' office Monday announced a gambling compact between the state and two American Indian tribes for a casino in Wyandotte County.

State, tribes seal deal on casino
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' office and two American Indian tribes have concluded a compact for a large casino on the booming west side of Kansas City, Kan., about 20 minutes from downtown Lawrence.

Harvard researchers examine extent of problem gambling in Missouri
Monday, October 11, 2004
A study by Harvard researchers found that about 39,000 Missourians experienced a serious gambling problem in the past year, and Kansas City and St. Louis are epicenters for the state's problem gamblers.

Judge orders gambling devices returned
Thursday, October 7, 2004
A federal judge has ordered the state to return gambling equipment seized from the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma when officials shut down a casino in downtown Kansas City, Kan., but barred the tribe from resuming gambling there.

Tribe plans to build casino in Wichita area
Wednesday, October 6, 2004
The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska announced plans Tuesday to develop a large casino in south-central Kansas, an off-reservation project that faces huge regulatory hurdles.

Missouri residents plan second casino campaign
Monday, September 27, 2004
The statewide rejection of a casino for Rockaway Beach has only fueled some residents' fervor to one day hear the ringing of slot machines and rattling of dice in the faded resort town.

Casinos unlikely to turn Omaha into tourist hub
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Casinos could draw more people from out of town and convention business to Omaha, but tourism officials don't expect the city to be transformed into a Middle West Las Vegas.

Governor working with tribes on Wyandotte County casino
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
(Updated Tuesday at 11:41 a.m.) Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Tuesday said the state is continuing to negotiate with two American Indian tribes to build a $210 million hotel and casino in Wyandotte County.

Tribe asks judge to order seized assets returned
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
An attorney for the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma asked a federal judge again Monday to force the state to return cash and gambling machines seized when officials shut down a tribal casino in downtown Kansas City, Kan.

Alaska lawmaker supports tribe's bid for KCK casino
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
A powerful ally of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma spoke out Tuesday against the closure of its Kansas casino by state authorities.

Lottery launches online gamble
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Kansas is taking a gamble on a new lottery game that can be "played" online and apparently is the only one of its kind in the world, officials said Wednesday.

Casino plan near Branson considered risky business
Sunday, June 20, 2004
The town of Branson's main industry is wholesome, family entertainment. Think Andy Williams and The Osmonds.

Governor critical of Senate about school funding, gambling
Friday, April 30, 2004
(Updated Monday at 1:36 p.m.) TOPEKA - Gov. Kathleen Sebelius today criticized the Kansas Senate for failing to adopt a school finance plan and rejecting a bill to expand gambling.

Kline speaks on liquor sales, gay marriage and smoking bans in online chat
Thursday, April 29, 2004
(Updated Friday at 3:20 p.m.) The following is the transcript of an online chat with Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline, which took place Thursday, April 29.

Tribes closer to KCK casino
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
A pair of Kansas Indian tribes said Tuesday they were finalizing a deal to purchase 80 acres near the Kansas Speedway as part of their plans to open a casino.

Casino operator Grace dies at 69
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
William M. Grace, a self-made entrepreneur whose wide-ranging business enterprises included gambling operations in four states, is dead of cancer at 69.

Sebelius expects to settle casino compact
Saturday, April 24, 2004
Two American Indian tribes and the governor's office are close to agreement on a compact allowing the tribes to build a $210 million casino and hotel complex in Kansas City, Kan., officials said Friday.

Study projects Wichita as winner in state's destination-casino battle
Monday, April 19, 2004
A report from a national consulting firm says a destination casino and resort would be more successful in Wichita than anywhere else in Kansas because the city has no nearby competition.

Education finance still looms large for area lawmakers
Sunday, April 18, 2004
When the Kansas Legislature reconvenes later this month, legislators will have to deal with the same major issue they faced when the 2004 session began in January: public education funding.

Kansas, neighbors compete for gambling dollars
Friday, April 16, 2004
Kansas and some of its neighboring states are watching one another closely in a high-stakes contest for gambling revenue that is sure to get more competitive. While Kansas is trying to decide whether to stay in the game or fold, Oklahoma recently adopted legislation to expand gambling, Nebraska voters will decide whether to allow casinos, and several measures are in the legislative hopper in Missouri that supporters say will make casinos in the Show-Me State more attractive.

Police, KBI close Kansas City casino
Friday, April 2, 2004
(Web Posted Friday at 12:12 p.m.) Authorities shut down a tribal-owned casino in the city's downtown Friday morning, and were preparing to remove more than 150 gambling machines.

Tribe loses another decision on casino in K.C.K.
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
A federal judge on Tuesday rejected a temporary restraining order sought by the Wyandotte Tribe of Oklahoma for its casino in downtown Kansas City, Kan.

Federal agency rules tribe can't operate K.C.K. casino
Friday, March 26, 2004
The Wyandotte Tribe of Oklahoma can't run its downtown Kansas City, Kan., casino, the National Indian Gaming Commission has determined.

Kline says gambling bill raises corruption threat
Thursday, March 25, 2004
State ownership of casinos, a cornerstone of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' gambling initiative, would open the door to public corruption, Attorney General Phill Kline said Wednesday.

Alternative gambling plan offered
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
A Senate leader has intervened in the debate over gambling, pushing her own proposed constitutional amendment to permit just one large casino and four slot-machine parlors in the state.

Gambling bill revised to include bowling alleys
Friday, March 19, 2004
A Senate committee endorsed Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' gambling proposals Thursday after expanding the legislation to allow slot machines at bowling alleys, driving ranges and some other recreational sites. The bill reflects the governor's proposals for up to five, state-owned "destination" casinos as well as slot machines at dog and horse racing tracks and at 240 private clubs operated by veterans and fraternal organizations. The clubs could have five machines each.

Delaware Tribe seeks to build casino near Kansas Speedway
Friday, March 19, 2004
BONNER SPRINGS - The Oklahoma-based Delaware Tribe is the latest to propose building a casino in Wyandotte County.

Senate panel endorses gambling expansion plan
Thursday, March 18, 2004
(Updated Thursday at 4:23 p.m.) TOPEKA - A Senate committee endorsed Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' gambling proposals Thursday after expanding the legislation to allow slot machines at certain bowling alleys, driving ranges and some other recreational sites.

Senate panel begins work on gambling proposal
Thursday, March 18, 2004
A Senate panel Wednesday began work on Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' proposal to expand gambling in Kansas, considering changes designed to help the state's dog and horse racing tracks. Sebelius has proposed creating as many as five state-owned "world-class, destination casinos" in Kansas, allowing slot machines at the state's five pari-mutuel tracks and permitting up to five slot machines at each of 240 fraternal clubs across the state.

Delaware Tribe pursues Bonner Springs casino
Thursday, March 18, 2004
The Delaware Tribe of Indians on Wednesday announced plans to create a $225 million destination resort hotel and casino near the Kansas Speedway in Wyandotte County.

Study links bankruptcy, proximity of casinos
Monday, March 15, 2004
A Creighton University study on possible casino links to bankruptcies revealed differing results for individuals and businesses.

Study: S.E. town best bet for casino
Friday, March 12, 2004
A destination casino in southeast Kansas has the potential to bring in more revenue than one in the Kansas City area, according to a feasibility study conducted for the state lottery. Kansas Lottery director Ed Van Petten, who presented the study's findings Thursday to a Senate committee, said the research also shows 55 percent of Kansans favor expanded gambling, while 38 percent oppose it.

Democrat criticizes putting off education debate
Friday, March 5, 2004
House Democratic Leader Dennis McKinney on Thursday defended Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' education proposal and said he was disappointed Republicans didn't allow a debate on school finance last week in the House.

House Democratic leader Dennis McKinney takes part in online chat
Friday, March 5, 2004
Welcome to our online chat with Kansas House Minority Leader Dennis McKinney. The chat took place on Thursday, March 4, at 1:30 PM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Dodge City shooting for destination casino
Wednesday, March 3, 2004
When the frontier was still open, gambling helped draw cowboys and other visitors here. These days, Dodge City depends heavily on nostalgia, drawing tens of thousands of tourists who want to relive a little of the Old West. But local officials hope gambling will be part of their community's entertainment again soon.

Analysis: Gaming bill's foes betting on more
Sunday, February 22, 2004
The disappointment in Garry Winget's voice was obvious last week as he asked the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee to ignore the last sentence of his written testimony. The line read: "Note that the opponents to gambling are not self-serving."

Gaming plan opponents want in on the action
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Several people who opposed Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' gambling plan in testimony before a Senate committee Wednesday said they want a piece of the action.

Expanded gambling plan too limited, supporters say
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Even supporters of expanded gambling in Kansas aren't completely pleased with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' "Expanded Gaming Opportunity Act."

Kerr sees no benefits in expanded gambling
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Senate President Dave Kerr, participating in his first online chat Tuesday, criticized Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' proposed budget and said expanded gambling would produce little if any new revenue for the state.

Sebelius gambling plan goes before committee
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
A Senate committee got its first look Tuesday at Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' expanded gambling initiative, opening what likely will be a long, acrimonious battle.

Senate President Dave Kerr chats online
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Welcome to our online chat with Kansas Senate President Dave Kerr. The chat took place on Tuesday, February 10, at 1:30 PM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Governor participates in online chat
Thursday, February 5, 2004
(Updated Tuesday at 4:05 p.m.) Gov. Kathleen Sebelius took part in an online chat today with ljworld.com readers. This was the governor's first time to meet with her constituents using an online chat format.

$500M loan to prop up KPERS
Tuesday, February 3, 2004
Kansas leaders Monday voted to borrow $500 million to shore up the public employees' pension system, simultaneously sinking the state further into debt and raising the stakes on casino gambling. In a meeting of the State Finance Council, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius voted for the proposal aimed at helping the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, and said the state should pay off the KPERS bonds with revenue from expanded gambling.

Sebelius rolls out new state gambling plan
Friday, January 30, 2004
(Updated Friday at 1:13 p.m.) TOPEKA - Kansas could have five top-class casinos, and video lottery terminals at horse and dog tracks and nearly 250 veterans and fraternal organizations, under a proposal unveiled today by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. "Many Kansans will benefit from this plan," Sebelius said at a packed news conference announcing her proposal.

Gambling plan would include up to five casinos
Friday, January 30, 2004
(Web Posted Friday at 1:09 p.m.) TOPEKA - Up to five "world-class, destination casinos," owned and operated by the state, could increase tourism and help keep Kansas dollars in the state, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said Friday.

Analysis: Casino board should learn from racetrack experience
Monday, January 26, 2004
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius isn't proposing something novel when she suggests having a state board pick from among competing developers to determine who manages state-owned casinos.

Sebelius gambling plan contemplates state-owned casino
Sunday, January 25, 2004
Every year, Kansans make millions of visits to casinos just over the state line in Kansas City, Mo. And every year, state officials go hunting for millions of dollars in new revenue for state government.

Developers would vie to run casino
Sunday, January 18, 2004
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' bill for expanding gambling would have developers compete to manage one or more state-owned casinos, a top aide said Saturday.

Administration backtracks on casino
Saturday, January 17, 2004
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius declined Friday to confirm that she would recommend the state open and operate a casino in Wyandotte County.

Sebelius embraces call for state-owned casino
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will propose a state-owned casino near the Kansas Speedway, but administration spokesmen said the door wasn't closing on negotiations with American Indians or others seeking to develop gambling venues. "If this is done right, it would be a very big boost" to the economy, Sebelius' chief counsel Matthew All told the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

Sebelius wants state to build casino near Kansas Speedway
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
(Updated Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.) Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will propose the state get into the casino business. Matthew All, Sebelius' chief counsel, told lawmakers today that the administration will propose expanded gambling with a resort-destination casino near the Kansas Speedway.

Legislative proposal would expand gambling
Friday, January 9, 2004
(Updated Friday at 10:39 a.m.) TOPEKA - The first bill for the upcoming legislative session to expand gambling was announced today. House Speaker Pro Tem John Ballou, a Gardner Republican, said his proposal would allow slot-machine casinos at the state's three pari-mutuel racetracks, which are at Kansas City, Kan., Wichita and Frontenac. His measure would also allow casinos at Dodge City and Junction City.

Casino expansion not sure bet
Monday, January 5, 2004
Expanded gambling would be good for Kansans, and the first step should be a premier casino near the Kansas Speedway in Wyandotte County. That recommendation is the conclusion of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' task force on expanded gambling. But enacting it, or something like it, promises to be one of the most complicated and politically wrenching issues of the 2004 legislative session, which begins Jan. 12.

State studies expanded gambling
Thursday, December 11, 2003
State officials have hired a leading gambling consultant to conduct a market research study on whether expanded gambling would be right for Kansas and how much money it could generate for the state.

Fight over revenues is obstacle to gambling
Monday, November 24, 2003
In 1995, legislators approved gambling compacts with four Indian tribes, decisions that brought casinos to Kansas. But since then, a further expansion of gambling has been a dicey proposition. Proposals to permit private companies to operate nontribal casinos have failed, as have measures to allow the Kansas Lottery to run them. Legislators also have refused to allow slot machines at dog and horse tracks.

Lawmaker urges limit to expanded gambling plan
Tuesday, October 7, 2003
A state legislator told the governor's gambling committee Monday that any attempt to expand gambling in Kansas must be limited and be presented by a unified front to stand any chance of winning legislative approval.

Committee to review gambling laws
Saturday, August 9, 2003
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has created a 15-member committee to study the possibilities of legalized gambling in the state.

Senate rejects proposals to expand gambling
Tuesday, May 6, 2003
The prospect of expanded gambling in Kansas was dealt a setback Monday in the Kansas Senate.

House advances gambling bill
Friday, May 2, 2003
The House gave first-round approval to a gambling bill Thursday after making so many changes in three hours of debate that the sponsor called it "unacceptable."

Legislation envisions expanded gambling
Thursday, March 13, 2003
With proponents hoping the state's budget problems will help their cause, a Senate panel opened two days of testimony Wednesday on proposals to expand legal gambling in Kansas.

Legislators question gambling proposals
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
Despite a push from Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, legislative leaders say chances are slim that any measures to expand gambling will be debated this session.

Tribes offer deal on gambling profits
Friday, January 31, 2003
Two American Indian tribes said they would give Kansas a share of profits from a proposed casino in Wyandotte County if the state would block future competition.
Testifying Thursday before a joint meeting of the House and Senate Federal and State Affairs committees, the Kickapoo Tribe and Sac and Fox Nation said they would build a $175 million hotel and casino near Kansas Speedway. The committee took no action on the proposal.

Sebelius prefers an indirect role in gambling bill
Sunday, January 19, 2003
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius supports an expansion of legalized gambling in Kansas but doesn't want to have to write the bill or settle disputes among factions of supporters.

Gambling supporters' hopes dashed
Sunday, May 19, 2002
The racetrack owners, pari-mutuel racing groups and legislators who wanted to expand legalized gambling in Kansas had reason to hope this was the year for a bill to pass. Legislators had to close a huge budget shortfall and faced financial problems that seemed likely to linger for at least another year.

Senate panel delays gambling vote
Thursday, May 9, 2002
(Updated Thursday at 2:24 p.m.) TOPEKA � Supporters hoping for a Senate panel's endorsement of a bill expanding legalized gambling in Kansas will have to wait a little longer.

Gambling bill loses in House
Thursday, April 4, 2002
Legislation allowing more gambling in Kansas was rejected in the House on Wednesday as both opponents and supporters found much to criticize in the bill.
Two hours of debate � focusing on the social costs of gambling and whether the bill did enough for the state � preceded the 64-58 vote against advancing the measure to final House action.

House panel passes plan to expand legalized gambling; criticism expected
Saturday, March 30, 2002
A bill expanding legalized gambling cleared a House committee Friday, but even supporters expect it to be criticized as allocating too little profit to the state. The bill would permit slot machines and other electronic gambling devices at the state's five pari-mutuel race tracks if voters in those counties approved, as well as one unspecified "at-large" site.

Legislative house committee tables gambling bill
Tuesday, March 26, 2002
Two Wyandotte County legislators joined Monday with opponents to table a gambling bill that supporters claimed would benefit the Kansas City area the most. The vote by the House Tourism Committee was 9-7. The panel does not plan to meet again this year.

Study to examine Missouri's self-banning gambling program
Wednesday, January 2, 2002
A planned three-year study should help assess whether compulsive gamblers are getting counseling under Missouri's pioneering self-banning program � and how many problem gamblers still manage to get back into casinos.

Graves: Taxes, gambling may bridge budget shortfall
Saturday, November 17, 2001
By Scott Rothschild

Higher taxes and more gambling offer ways out of the state's budget crisis, Gov. Bill Graves told top state officials Friday. In an hourlong talk with about 200 top state officials, Graves and his budget director, Duane Goossen, painted a bleak picture of the state budget caused by a slumping economy and increases in the number of people requiring social services.

Gambling expansion re-examined as state budget shortfalls mount
Sunday, October 28, 2001
By Scott Rothschild

By this time next year, you may be able to gamble with a slot machine at a racetrack, or drive to a convenience store and play a hand of video poker. Supporters and opponents of gambling say that the legislative session that starts in January will produce the best chance in years to increase gambling opportunities in Kansas.

Tax increase, gambling must fill education gap, House speaker warns
Friday, October 5, 2001
The state must either increase taxes or legalize more gambling if wants to increase spending on public schools, House Speaker Kent Glasscock said Thursday.
Glasscock said the state's budget problems are so serious that legislators will be forced to consider cuts in other parts of the budget if they want to avoid a cut in education spending.

Gambling bill appears doomed
Tuesday, July 3, 2001
Sen. Harry Reid has stopped worrying about a ban on college sports betting being passed by Congress this year. "The bill won't pass out of Congress," Reid, D-Nev., told The Associated Press on Monday.

Budget woes lift gambling hopes
Friday, April 20, 2001
The state's budget crunch has some lobbyists hoping that state-operated video lottery machines are a revenue source whose time has come � even if the devices do resemble slot machines.