Legislators cast doubt on plan for expanded gambling

Tuesday, May 14, 2002 | 11:01 a.m.

TOPEKA, Kan. -- The odds don't appear to favor expanded gambling in Kansas this year, key Senate Republicans say.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a bill to permit slot machines and other electronic gambling devices at five pari-mutuel racetracks. A version that allowed the machines at the tracks and one, unspecified at-large site if voters approved barely passed the House last week.

Senate Judiciary Chairman John Vratil, R-Leawood, and Senate President Dave Kerr, R-Hutchinson, both said the bill probably would not get out of the Senate committee.

"At this point, the Senate committee is not meeting," Kerr said. "They don't have the votes to bring slots out of committee."

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