BestCraps.com

Debate On Smoking Ban Delays Vote On Expanded Gambling Bill

Posted on May 9th, 2010

News Sponsored by Go Casino

Rated 5 Stars by BestCraps.com

Read Review

Visit Casino

Download Software

————————————————

In a 20-19 vote against the bill, the Kansas Senate rejected by a narrow margin Friday night a measure to expand gambling at the state’s racetracks after the bill was caught up in a debate over smoking ban. The bill was aimed to allow slot machines at the state’s dog and horse race tracks in an effort to restore the race tracks that have now closed.

It would also amend a provision that would interest a developer to construct a state-owned casino at the southeast part of the state. Smoking is a constant issue in most casinos in different states since banning it significantly limits the amount of casino goers while certain groups disapprove allowing it.

A vote on the said gambling bill was delayed by a side debate over a smoking ban which takes effect July 1 in bars, restaurants and other public places, except in gambling areas of state-owned casinos. Gambling supporters are worried that a ban on smoking in state-owned casinos would harshly affect business and the state revenue. Casinos in Kansas are put up and managed by developers but the rights to the gambling and the gambling equipment are owned by the Kansas Lottery.

A casino in Dodge City has opened last December and another one is currently being built at Kansas Speedway. Developers of the casino at Kansas Speedway as well as the conservative Republicans are against the bill, which was pushed by many lawmakers as a way to create jobs and to augment the state budget.

A vote on the bill, however, was delayed by a side debate over a smoking ban which takes effect July 1 in bars, restaurants and other public places, except in gambling areas of state-owned casinos. Gambling supporters are worried that a ban on smoking in state-owned casinos would harshly affect business and the state revenue. The bill would have raised race track owners’ share of slots revenues to 58 percent from 40 percent. It would also have lowered the required investment of a developer for a casino to $100 million from the previous $225 million.

Gambling supporters claim the state could benefit from an estimated $20 million a year in revenue from slots at race tracks, plus additional revenue from a casino in southeast Kansas.