Gambling expansion passes through Senate

Friday, March 30, 2007

Gambling will become more prevalent in Kansas. Thursday the Senate passed the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act, which will allow for construction of four state-owned casinos and installation of 2,200 slot machines at race tracks. Governor Kathleen Sebelius confirmed in a press release Thursday that she would sign the bill.

KANSAN

Expanded gambling has long been a topic of discussion in Kansas. Sen. Marci Francisco (D-Lawrence) said that two previous gambling bills had been brought to the Senate during her three years, but both failed. She supported the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act.

Francisco said this bill was different from others because it limited the amount of casinos to four, reduced the number of slots at racetracks and allocated 2 percent of funds toward social rehabilitation services. The four casinos would be destination casinos, which means they would offer activities other than just gambling.

The bill does not specifically allocate casino revenues toward deferred maintenance at Kansas universities, but Francisco said she hoped that was where some money would go. The bill states that money will go toward debt reduction, infrastructure and reduction of local property taxes.

Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer (R-Grinnell) said that state-owned casinos were a bad idea.

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The bill does not specifically allocate casino revenues toward deferred maintenance at Kansas universities, but Marci Francisco said she hoped that was where some money would go. The bill states that money will go toward debt reduction, infrastructure and reduction of local property taxes.

“I have a concern about what it’s going to do to small businesses,” Ostmeyer said. “I think we got up this morning and Kansas is not the same.”

Students said Kansans could make their own decisions about gambling.

“I wouldn’t go, but it should be a person’s choice,” said Dominique Franklin, Wichita junior. “I don’t like to lose money.”

Davi Serrao, Salvador, Brazil, senior, said that those who wanted to gamble would find a way.

“My roommate just went gambling in Oklahoma, so why not here? It’s not that far away.”

Kansan staff writer Joe Hunt can be contacted at jhunt@kansan.com.

— Edited by Kelly Lanigan

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