LJWorld.com / Senate panel begins work on gambling proposal

Archive for Thursday, March 18, 2004

The Associated Press

March 18, 2004

Topeka — 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.

The Federal and State Affairs Committee increased the total number of slot machines to be allowed at the tracks to 4,000 from the 2,500 Sebelius proposed. The state has tracks operating year-round in Kansas City and Wichita, tracks with limited seasons in Greenwood and Harper counties and a vacant track near Pittsburg.

Many of the amendments were designed to increase the share of gambling revenues from slot machines for track owners and dog and horse breeders. The committee rejected such amendments at the urging of Sen. John Vratil, R-Leawood, who opposed any reduction in the state's share of 60 percent of slots revenues.

Vratil also raised concerns that some amendments would have tied the hands of track owners by specifying dates they would be required to have live races or races televised from other tracks in the nation.

"I think we ought to let the market determine those things," he said.

Sen. Ruth Teichman, R-Stafford, offered several amendments containing a compromise among officials from the pari-mutuel tracks, horse breeders and greyhound breeders.

She was frustrated with committee opposition to the compromise. Attempts in recent years to bring casinos or slot machines to Kansas have failed when the breeders and track officials have squabbled over their share of the revenues.

Matt All, Sebelius' chief counsel, has estimated the governor's plan would bring in as much as $900 million in revenues, of which the state would receive about $250 million annually.

All told the committee Wednesday that the governor was aware of the amendments offered by the tracks and breeders and that the bill would meet her approval with the proposed changes.

Expanded gambling bill is SB 499.

On the Net:

Kansas Legislature: http://www.kslegislature.org