The city council in Wichita, Kansas recently unanimously approved an ordinance that would penalize businesses outside of state-owned or tribally owned casinos that permit gambling devices.
The penalties would apply to businesses holding city licenses for tobacco, liquor, cereal malt beverages and entertainment, as well as private club licenses.
Assistant City Attorney Jan Jarman told council members the number of illegal gambling machines has soared. She said frequently as soon as law enforcement removes machines, they’re replaced with new ones. In addition, Jarman said the machines target low-income areas, they have no guaranteed payout and no regulation.
The penalties would include a written warning on a first offense, a 90-day license suspension on the second offense and a year-long suspension for a third offense and more.
