Sumner County voters already said yes to a casino. They approved one back in 2005. Friday the Kansas Lottery Commission certified that vote.
Now Sedgwick County residents must decide what they want. A casino question will be on the balllot August 7th. That vote will help determine where a casino will be built in South Central Kansas. Friday a 'Yea for Progress' group went public in an effort to get gaming passed August 7th.
Randy Brown with the group says Kansans are already gambling and their leaving the area to do it. "Money is just flowing out of the community and we've got to stop it," Brown said. He says if the area has a destination casino, people would spend their money in town. He says they will shop, sleep in hotels and eat out at restaurants.
A Kansas Lottery Study say most of the gamblers will come from within a 50 mile radius But Brown says since a casino is coming no matter what, he wants it in Sedgwick County instead of Sumner County. "Let's get the full benefit. That's the problem now. All this money is flowing out and we're getting the problems but we're not getting the economic benefits," he said.
Brown says casinos will bring in more revenue and add hundreds of job. He thinks most voters agree with him but worry they won't go out and vote. He says between now and August 7th he and the Yea group will try and convince people to cast ballots.
If Sedgwick County approves a casino, casino companies who want to build in Sedgwick and Sumner County's have 90 days to file applications with the Kansas Lottery. After that, a board will review the applications and pick one plan and one location for a casino.
August 7th, voters will be asked two questions. First if they want a casino in Sedgwick County. The second, if they want slot machines at Greyhound Park.
