The Kansas Lottery Commission recently announced it has unanimously approved contracts with the three investor groups competing to develop a state-owned casino in the southeastern gaming zone. Each met the minimum required financial and management standards and were forwarded to a seven-member Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board, which has 60 days to select the winning casino developer. Once an applicant is selected, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission will complete a background check.
The southeast gaming zone casino would be the fourth state-owned operation in Kansas, with three others in Dodge City, Mulvane and Kansas City, Kansas.
The three developers include a group led by Las Vegas billionaire Phil Ruffin, who proposed a $78 million project to convert the former Camptown Greyhound Park in Frontenac, which he owns, into a casino with 750 slot machines plus a hotel. The Castle Rock Casino Resort development group proposed a $140 million project in Cherokee County. And the Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel group recommended a $64 million project also in Cherokee County.
Castle Rock partner Rodney Stephen II said, “This is a big, long-awaited step. We’re eager to move forward.”
Interest in the southeastern zone picked up after the state lowered the required investment of $225 million in infrastructure and $25 million in fees to $50 million and $5.5 million.
The commission had scheduled to vote on the contracts on April 15, but gave Ruffin more time to show his group could meet minimum requirements. He turned over additional information that commissioners said addressed their concerns.
