Cherokee County, Kansas, Receives One Bid For Casino By Deadline

September of 2008 was the last time that there appeared to be any interest from developers looking to bring a casino to Cherokee County, Kansas. That would make the developments of a group emerging on Monday and submitting a bid a good thing.

That would also be if the state had not completely botched the process of securing four developers for state-owned casinos the first time around. Since the state has been blasted for their handling of the casino gambling situation, Monday served as just another reminder to detractors that Kansas is not prepared for big time gambling.

"Development groups have been applying for casino licenses all across the country," said Casino Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz, "The fact that Kansas is having problems securing developers for their state-owned casinos just shows that Kansas has become a danger zone in the casino industry."

Even the group that submitted the bid on Monday, Ozark Trail Gaming LLC, which is being led by former Wichita Mayor Bob Knight, admitted that building a casino in Cherokee County could be a risky proposition.

"It is viewed as a very, very, difficult project," said Knight, "Some are looking at that as a glass half empty. Our view is that it's at least a glass half full."

The Kansas Lottery Commission had already prepared to do what it has done in the past when no interest was shown in the casino propositions, they were going to extend the deadline for applications. The new deadline would have been next April.

This process has been going on for several years in Kansas. The first time through, three of the four developers pulled out of their deals with the state. The only current casino being built in Kansas is in Dodge City.

October 20, 2009
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Submit News!