TOPEKA — A new proposal to allow augmentations to the state's original expanded gaming provision could cause some issues in south central Kansas.
The bill, introduced through the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday lowers the initial investment and privilege fee for potential destination casino developers in southeast Kansas, but is also includes a measure to allow Sedgwick County voters to revote on whether slots can be allowed at the Wichita Greyhound Park.
Rep. Vince Wetta, D-Wellington, said that the impact of that potential vote could bring questions over his support of the measure.
"That is a tough one for me," Wetta said. "I want to support those people because they have supported me. The revote in Sedgwick County, if it is allowed, we need to see where this thing goes."
In addition, Anthony Downs, located in Harper County — also in Wetta's district — could be affected by allowing for a revote for slots.
One issue Wetta has regards a recent petition submitted by the Wyandotte Nation to build a casino on Indian land north of Wichita in Park City.
If the U.S. Department of the Interior were to allow that, Wetta said that destination casino efforts in Sumner County could be hampered.
"I want to support it because I would like to see the greyhound park reopen, but by the same token, if we allow slots at the track and an indian casino, it would be very difficult to get a casino in Sumner County," Wetta said.
U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kansas, who represents the 4th Congressional District, said he issued a letter to the Interior Department asking them to deny Wyandotte Nation's application.
He said that, while he is not in favor of gambling, the Wyandotte Nation has no ties to the state of Kansas and should not be afforded the ability to build in Kansas because of that fact.
"If we are going are going to expand Indian gaming, it should be from one of our tribes," Tiahrt said.
As for proceedings regarding the Kansas Lottery's negotiations for a destination casino in Sumner County, Wetta said that Lottery officials have said a deal could be worked out in the next week or two.
With regards to his thoughts on the measure proposed Thursday in the House, he said that he needed more information and wanted to see how the bill would be worked in committee.
"I want to get them something in southeast Kansas and I want to help them, but I also have to vote my district," Wetta said.
Topeka, Kan. —
