We stand at the ready to assist the state and its citizens in vigorously defending against this meritless lawsuit aimed at stifling competition and obtaining financial windfalls for a casino at the expense of the public trust. The operation of statutorily parimutuel wagering can in no way be an expansion of gaming or in any way a breach of contract with a casino manager. Parimutuel wagering has existed in this state long before the creation of state owned and operated casinos. The Kansas legislature, in the recent session, did what multiple other states have done over the last 20 years: they identified key differences between slot machines and historic horse racing machines (HHRMs) and like those other states, classified HHRMs in the statute as parimutuel. It was then - and remains today - within the legislature’s purview to define and regulate parimutuel wagering. The Kansas Legislature then created statutes to define parimutuel and how it would be conducted within the state. Kansas voters approved parimutuel wagering in 1986 by way of a state constitutional amendment approved by vote of the people. Boyd Gaming’s unsupported demand for $25 million in damages from public funds to refund privilege fees paid some 12 years ago, together with a demand for usurious interest that equates to $53 million-plus - more than double the fees themselves - demonstrates the absurdity of this lawsuit. This action fits a longstanding pattern of litigation threats against elected officials and Kansas taxpayers. “We are disappointed but unfortunately not surprised that Boyd Gaming, the manager of the state-owned and operated casino in Sumner County, filed a lawsuit against the state of Kansas. In the statement below, the Ruffin Companies said otherwise. Now, 15 years later, the legalization of sports betting may give Ruffin and the Wichita Greyhound Park a chance to reopen.īoyd Gaming, the operator of the Kansas Star Casino, filed a lawsuit on Thursday arguing that the state breached its contract because of a provision in the newly signed law, allowing for “new gaming devices” such as “historic horse racing machines.” The machines will replay past horse races and people can “bet” on which horse wins.

Four years later, the Wichita Greyhound Park closed its doors. In 2007, Sedgwick County voters rejected a casino. It all stems from an unrelated part of the sports betting law which could revive businesses like the currently-closed Wichita Greyhound Park.įor many years, owner Phil Ruffin pushed for the Kansas legislature to allow for at his facility, but it always failed. (KWCH) - Almost immediately after sports betting became legal here in the state of Kansas on Thursday, the Kansas Star Casino filed a lawsuit against the state.

Wichita ks casino