November election may include question of electronic gaming in Sedgwick County

The question of whether or not electronic gaming should be legal in Sedgwick County may again come to voters.

The Sedgwick County Commission at it next meeting next Wednesday (Sept. 4) will make a decision on a resolution that, if approved, would put the question of electronic gaming on the ballot for the next general election on Nov. 5.

Previously a question about gaming in Sedgwick County failed in an August 2007 special election.

"The purpose of this resolution is to again put the proposition on the ballot for the Nov. 5, 2019 election to allow the voters of Sedgwick County another opportunity to determine if electronic gaming machines would be allowed at a parimutuel facility in Sedgwick County," information on the resolution up for county commission's consideration says.

Last spring,

The bill's passage would have adjusted taxes for racetracks, allowing slot machines at sites like the Wichita Greyhound Park.

Sedgwick County Commission Chair David Dennis says even if county voters show support for electronic gaming, there are several statutes the state could bring in a lawsuit against Sedgwick County for installing gaming machines. He says he's not against legalized gambling, but not at tax payers' expense.

"But I don't know if that will overcome the cost of us defending a lawsuit," Dennis says.