Show of dissension could hurt proposal to expand gambling in Kansas

John Hanna

Friday, March 24, 2000 | 12:28 p.m.

TOPEKA, Kan. - Supporters of a proposal to allow slot machines at dog and horse tracks fear a small show of dissension could help doom their bill.

The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee had a hearing Thursday on a bill that contains the proposal for expanded gambling from the owners of The Woodlands, in Kansas City, Kan.; Wichita Greyhound Park; and Camptown Greyhound Park, north of Pittsburg.

The bill would allow electronic gambling machines, including slots, at those three parks. Voters in the tracks' home counties would have to approve the expanded gambling first, however.

Track owners are selling their proposal as a way to raise money for the state's education program and recapture dollars Kansans now spend at riverboat casinos in Kansas City, Mo., and at four casinos operated by American Indian tribes in northeast Kansas.

Their bill has the support of the Kansas Greyhound Association and the Kansas Thoroughbred Association.

But it doesn't have the support of all horse owners and breeders, and that lack of unity was obvious during the Senate committee's hearing. Two horse owners testified against it, saying it did not do enough for horse racing.

"If you don't have a unified front, you have problems," said Sen. Ben Vidricksen, R-Salina, a supporter of the bill. "There's got to be a unified front on this to get it passed."

The committee's chairwoman, Sen. Lana Oleen, was not surprised by the dissension in the pari-mutuel racing industry over the bill. The track owners and various dog and horse groups historically have had trouble agreeing on regulatory and legislative issues.

"There's a haggling over the gold," said Oleen, R-Manhattan. "That sends a mixed message to even supporters of that legislation."

Brad Smoot, a lobbyist for the company that operates The Woodlands, estimated the machines would generate $260 million annually in revenues. Of that total, 20 percent, or $52 million would go to the state.

Another 3.5 percent, about $9.1 million, would go to prizes for horse races.

But horse owners Gary Smith, of Olathe, and Jeff Rutland, of Independence, suggested the percentage ought to be higher. They also said the bill should mandate 60 days of live horse racing at The Woodlands, which has separate dog and horse tracks.

Rutland also said the bill should allow slot machines at the Eureka Downs horse track, about 55 miles east of Wichita, and Anthony Downs, which has dog and horse racing, about 55 miles southwest of Wichita. Both have short seasons.

"With the right legislation, everybody in the state can benefit," Rutland told the committee.

Smoot expressed frustration with Smith and Rutland's testimony. He noted that horse racing purses in Kansas now are $1.6 million annually - less than one-fifth of the $9.1 million Smoot thinks the bill would provide.

Even supporters of the bill think it will have a tough time winning approval. A similar proposal failed last year in the Senate on a 13-27 vote.

Under the bill, the Kansas Lottery actually would operate the electronic gambling machines.

The state constitution does not permit casinos owned and operated by private companies. However, a 1986 amendment permitted a state-run lottery, and in 1994, a divided state Supreme Court said the definition of lottery was broad enough to cover casino gambling.