Bill to bring back greyhound racing, slot machines falls short

A bill that failed on the Senate floor Friday would have adjusted taxes in the Lottery Act and paved the way to bring back horse and greyhound racing in Kansas.

The debate Friday was lengthy and at times heated. It lasted more than four hours before the bill's passage failed.

At first, some believed the bill passed because the "yays" were louder than the "nays." But a tally showed the bill fell short of advancing toward becoming law.

The passage would have adjusted taxes for racetracks, allowing slot machines at sites like the Wichita Greyhound Park and encouraging the re-opening of several area racetracks.

Some of the bill's opponents say racing greyhounds is a cruel and dying sport.

"It's a huge victory Greyhounds live a life of luxury as a companion pet and we're super excited," says Kimberly Pugliese, a board member for Beauties and Beasts.

The Wichita Greyhound Park closed a decade ago. The Woodlands in the Kansas City area was another large track that closed about that same time.