Governor Vows to Sign Gambling Bill
Governor Vows to Sign Gambling Bill Save Email Print
Posted: 9:31 AM Mar 29, 2007
Last Updated: 8:06 AM Mar 30, 2007
Email Address: news@kake.com

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Governor Sebelius is expected to sign a bill
expanding gambling in Kansas that won Senate approval early Thursday. Sebelius calls the bill's passage a "historic achievement."

The measure allows big casinos in four areas, including Ford County and Wyandotte County. The others would be allowed in two counties in southeast Kansas.

Also, 2,200 slot machines could be spread among race tracks in Wichita, Kansas City, Kansas, and in Frontenac. It says a casino or slots at the tracks won't be allowed in a particular county unless voters there approved.

Supporters believe the new gambling could generate $200 million a year in revenues to be used for debt reduction, infrastructure development and cutting local property taxes.

Opponents argued it would hurt existing businesses and cause social
ills, like an increase in gambling addicts.

To see the entire bill, click here

Key provisions of the gambling bill approved early Thursday by the Senate and sent to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

CASINOS
-- Areas eligible for tourist-attracting casinos: Wyandotte,
Sedgwick or Sumner counties, Crawford or Cherokee counties, and
Ford County.
-- County vote of approval required.
-- $225 million minimum investment for casino developers.
-- $25 million one-time privilege fee paid to the state.
-- 22 percent of casino revenue goes to state.
-- 3 percent goes to local units of government.
-- 2 percent goes to problem gambling and addiction fund.
RACE TRACKS
-- 2,200 slot machines distributed among Woodlands in Kansas
City, Wichita Greyhound Park and Camptown in Frontenac.
-- County vote of approval required.
-- Tracks pay a privilege fee of $2,500 per slot machine.
-- 600 more slots can be distributed to the tracks after
contracts for casinos have been signed.
-- 40 percent of slot revenue to state.
-- 25 percent goes to facility owner as a management fee.
-- 15 percent covers expenses.
-- 7 percent each goes to greyhound racing and horse racing.
-- 3 percent goes to local units of government.
-- 2 percent goes to problem gambling and addiction fund.
-- 1 percent goes to Horse Benefit Fair Fund.
OTHER
-- Prohibits governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and
legislators from working with a gambling company until they've been
out of office for five years.
-- State's use of its share limited to debt reduction,
infrastructure improvements and property tax relief.
-- Within four months of the bill's enactment, the Kansas Lottery
Commission must determine the maximum number of slots at individual
tracks.
-- There's a 25-year moratorium on expansion of casinos or more
than 2,800 slots.
-- Local governments can't use eminent domain, STAR bonds,
tax-increment financing or tax abatements to help developers.
-- No tax by a government unit can be used for the minimum
investment requirement for casino.

Of the 30 Republicans, 11 voted "yes" and 19 voted "no." All 10 Democrats voted "yes."

REPUBLICANS VOTING YES
Barbara Allen, Overland Park.
Terry Bruce, Hutchinson.
Pete Brungardt, Salina.
Jay Scott Emler, Lindsborg.
Steve Morris, Hugoton.
Derek Schmidt, Independence.
Jean Schodorf, Wichita.
Ruth Teichman, Stafford.
Dwayne Umbarger, Thayer.
John Vratil, Leawood.
David Wysong, Mission Hills.

REPUBLICANS VOTING NO
Pat Apple, Louisburg.
Jim Barnett, Emporia.
Karin Brownlee, Olathe.
Les Donovan, Wichita.
Tim Huelskamp, Fowler.
Nick Jordan, Shawnee.
Phil Journey, Haysville.
Julia Lynn, Olathe.
Carolyn McGinn, Sedgwick.
Ralph Ostmeyer, Grinnell.
Peggy Palmer, Augusta.
Mike Petersen, Wichita.
Roger Pine, Lawrence.
Dennis Pyle, Hiawatha.
Roger Reitz, Manhattan.
Vicki Schmidt, Topeka.
Mark Taddiken, Clifton.
Susan Wagle, Wichita.
Dennis Wilson, Overland Park.

DEMOCRATS VOTING YES
Jim Barone, Frontenac.
Donald Betts, Wichita.
Marci Francisco, Lawrence.
Mark Gilstrap, Kansas City.
Greta Goodwin, Winfield.
David Haley, Kansas City.
Anthony Hensley, Topeka.
Laura Kelly, Topeka.
Janis Lee, Kensington.
Chris Steineger, Kansas City.

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