As a Sedgwick County Commissioner, I have been lobbied by advocates on both sides of HB2173. This legislation is attempting to establish slot machine gaming at the Wichita Greyhound Park.  The bill passed the first step and now awaiting action by the House.  Looking at testimony on the bill thus far, it seems the politicians, proponents, and opponents simply argued for whatever position they think favors them financially. But in this case, there is plenty more to consider. 

If revenue to the County was all I cared about, I guess I’d be an advocate for HB2173. This change is estimated to create about 4,000 jobs and the gaming revenue is estimated to benefit Sedgwick County government to the tune of about $1.5 million per year. These lofty numbers are a good selling point but they are not the full picture.

Typically, Sedgwick County receives about $1.8 million annually from the Kansas Star Casino. That amount would obviously decrease if there is suddenly other nearby gaming that is competing with the Kansas Star.  Unless there is a huge increase in gambling, I’m not convinced there will be more jobs or revenue when we look at both sides of the equation.  Shifting some of the gambling 26 miles to the north does not create prosperity for Kansas or Sedgwick County but it will hurt our State, Sumner County, and Mulvane. 

If the bill passes, Sedgwick County will have to conduct another election which will cost the County about $124,000.  The Kansas Lottery indicates that the State is prohibited from designating additional areas of the state where gaming facilities are authorized until July 1, 2032. Conducting a revote may be viewed as an expansion of gaming that is prohibited under the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act. If it is determined that the bill violates this provision, the State will be required to refund the privilege fees which right now is estimated to be $110,000,000.  The Attorney General also issued an opinion that essentially says breaking this agreement will cost the State that refund.

Assuming all those hurdles get jumped, then the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission estimates that they will need another $1.8 million per year to regulate just this one site. 

I’m not a fan of gambling anyway but I’m definitely opposed to HB2173 because I only see one winner in this proposal and it sure looks like the rest of us will lose.