Lakes Entertainment Joins Casino Battle In Sumner County

The state of Kansas is still trying to find developers to run state owned casinos in three of the four approved zones. One of those zones is Sumner County, and after the deadline passed at 5PM on Wednesday, there were three applications.

As previously reported, Foxwoods Development Co. and Equity Ventures had already submitted proposals on Wednesday. Then, late in the day, Lakes Entertainment Inc. threw their name into the ring.

"It will make for an interesting decision for Kansas," said observer Neal Jenks, "many people were concerned that there would be no proposals, and now the state has three different avenues they can pursue."

Equity Ventures might be the front runners in the race for the casino contract. They won the contract the first time around with partner, Harrah's Entertainment. The project fell through, however, after Harrah's decided the economy had become to poor, and pulled out of the deal.

Foxwoods was also involved in the bidding the first time around. They have proposed a $250 million casino near the Mulvane exit of the Turnpike. The location could provide a problem for both Equity and Foxwoods.

Part of the process is receiving an endorsement from local governments, and the Mulvane location has been a topic of debate among those who believe the area was improperly annexed and those who believe a casino would fit perfectly at the location.

Lakes Entertainment has proposed a casino for Mulvane as well. They have also offered a site near Wellington as a possibility.

April 4, 2009
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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