Why Gaming

RECAPTURE REVENUE NOW GOING TO OTHER STATES AND TRIBAL CASINOS.

The State of Kansas in currently loosing approximately $67 million a year in gaming tax revenue that is being collected by Missouri on riverboat profits. It is estimated that at least 40% of the Kansas City, Missouri riverboat play is by Kansans. According to the Missouri Gaming Commission, the four Kansas City riverboats paid $168,928,591 in gaming tax and admission fees in fiscal year 2003. Kansans 40% equals $67,571,436 that could have gone to the State of Kansas if casino gambling was allowed in the state.

The actual amount of money wagered at the Tribal casinos in northeast Kansas and in Oklahoma is not published, but it can be assumed that a significant amount of those gaming dollars are by Kansans.  The lost taxes on these casinos and in Missouri can easily be $100 million or more a year.

ATTRACT MORE TOURISTS AND RETAIN CURRENT TOURIST ENTERTAINMENT DOLLARS.

Kansas now ranks last of all states in tourism.  Destination resort "Las Vegas" style casinos would attract visitors from throughout the Midwest and South.  First class hotels, convention facilities and performance theatres will attract tourist and conferences that now go to Kansas City, Missouri and music entertainment patrons that now enjoy Branson, Missouri.

Kansas is called the "pass thru" state because so many tourist drive thru Kansas on Interstate 70 or Interstate 35 on their way to their vacation destination. Casinos would attract these tourists for a few days of their vacation and then make Kansas their destination for years to come.

In the Kansas City metro area, the Village West development at the Kansas Speedway is the largest tourist attraction in the state. Cabella's and Nebraska Furniture Mart will attract millions of visitors annually. The problem is that most of these visitors go to Missouri for food and entertainment. Keep these entertainment dollars and taxes in Kansas by providing quality entertainment, restaurants, shows and casino fun.