The Kansas Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments by attorneys for Cherokee County and Brandon and Rodney Steven to stop the million Kansas Crossing Casino, now in the final stages of construction near Pittsburg in Crawford County, and expected to open on March 20.
In June 2015 the Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board voted 7-5 to select Kansas Crossing over the Stevens’ Castle Rock Casino Resort, which would have been located in Cherokee County. The county and Castle Rock filed a lawsuit claiming the selection process was flawed and that the gaming board sided with Kansas Crossing without properly determining why. However, in April 2016 District Court Judge Larry D. Hendricks dismissed the lawsuit, ruling the gaming board had explained it was concerned about Castle Rock’s viability. The county and Castle Rock then appealed to the state Supreme Court. But in more than an hour and a half of debate, the seven state Supreme Court justices seemed to agree with the district court judge.
Pittsburg Mayor John Ketterman said, “The delay which was sought by this lawsuit would not only be a severe economic hit for years, but also would be a disastrous setback to the spirits of southeast Kansans who need this project after the many unanticipated challenges we’ve faced recently.” Developers said Wednesday that more than 200 people have been offered jobs at Kansas Crossing.
The court did not announce when it will reach a decision.
