Wednesday, September 8, 2010

UPDATE

The Kansas Lottery Commission has approved two companies to move on to a state review board with plans for a casino in Sumner County. The approval comes the same day Harrah's announced it's withdrawing its proposal. The Commission met with the two remaining applicants in Topeka Wednesday. It heard both companies' proposals before approving the contracts for final review.

Iowa-based Peninsula Gaming Partners is proposing a resort style casino and equestrian arena off I-35 near Mulvane. Oklahoma-based Global Gaming is proposing a resort style casino near Wellington. Both companies say they will work with the local community to foster job growth and economic development.

No word yet on how long it will take the state review board to make a decision on which company will be awarded a contract.

----

Harrah's Entertainment has withdrawn its proposal to build and manage a state-owned casino in south-central Kansas.

Two other companies remain in the competition for a contract with the Kansas Lottery to develop a casino in Sumner County, south of Wichita.

Harrah's issued a statement Wednesday saying only its decision followed careful consideration. There was no further explanation.

The move by Harrah's came the same day the Lottery Commission met to determine how many proposals to forward to a state review board that will pick the developer for the project.

The other two companies seeking the lottery contract are Iowa-based Peninsula Gaming Partners and Oklahoma-based Global Gaming.