The ace in the hole for the Harrah’s Entertainment this morning in Belle Plaine was celebrity chef Paula Deen, who brightened the Belle Plaine auditorium with her big smile and abundance of southern charm during their casino presentation to the Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board.
Deen had nothing but positive things to say about her partnership with Harrah’s Entertainment for her signature restaurants, one of which has been proposed for their development at Exit 33 of the Kansas Turnpike.
She had the audience smiling as she called Harrah’s the perfect father of her business – and said she was ready to have a child in Kansas.
She also had them laughing when she admitted that in her free time she’s a “slot slut.”
The meeting of the KLGFRB was opened at 9 a.m. today by board chairman Matt All, who said, “At the end of the day, we want to make the right decision. I don’t think that any of the decisions in any of the four gaming zones are going to be easy decisions to make.”
All also said, “We’re Kansans, just like you, and we want what’s best for the state.”
The board heard a 30 minute introduction to the Harrah’s presentation by Kansas Lottery Commission and heard from Keith Kocher, director of gaming facilities.
Kocher said of the three contracts negotiated for Sumner County, there were few substantial differences.
He did touch on the annexation lawsuit currently in Sumner County District Court which relates specifically to Harrah’s, and said they did not take the lawsuit into consideration in their contract dealings.
When asked, Kocher said it was his opinion the board should do the same.
“We’ll let the chips fall where they may,” he said.
Sumner Gaming and Resort Executives Nancy Seitz and Bruce Christenson began the presentation for Harrah’s Entertainment, both stating the casino proposal would produce the most revenue, tourists and amenities for Sumner County.
Charles Atwood, vice chairman of the board for Harrah’s Entertainment, said he is confident their proposal will generate more revenue, more tourism, a greater economic impact and be the resort that is truly in the best interest of the state of Kansas.
“I believe somewhere in the future this could be a billion dollar casino – that’s not our proposal today,” Atwood said.
Harrah’s Entertainment officials reiterated their plans for their resort, including the Butch Harmon school of golf, Paula Deen and Toby Keith signature restaurants, high-class hotel and spa accommodations, and more.
At the conclusion of their presentation, Harrah’s officials were directed thoughtful and sometimes pointed questions from the board – ranging from the sustainability of the proposed Harrah’s investment to current issues stemming from water saturation at the proposed site.
Several questions were also directed to Peter Tyson of PFK Consulting, who presented an analysis of the market comparing Harrah’s Entertainment to a generic casino in Wellington.
Tyson’s conclusions were that Harrah’s would generate higher revenue because of its proximity to Wichita and the convenience of a lesser drive time to the facility.
The presentation ended with comments from city representatives for Mulvane, each stressing the enthusiasm of the Mulvane community to embrace Harrah’s Entertainment.
Many included the recently-released results of a telephone survey in the area, and a letter with 5,000 area-wide signatures in support of Harrah’s, in their comments to the board.
The board reconvened at 1 p.m. to hear the presentation by Penn National Gaming. Marvel Gaming will present the Trailhead Casino and Resort Friday morning before the board, and public comments will be heard Friday afternoon.
The decision by the board will be announced Aug. 21 and 22.
Wellington, Kan. —
