Our laws no longer shelter us from gambling . . . they only isolate us from its revenue.
For the past several years the pari-mutuel horse and greyhound racing industries have supported a change in our state law that would allow an expansion of gambling in Kansas. In 2007 a law was finally passed creating the opportunity for casino-style gaming in the state. This change would allow Kansas to benefit from the revenues generated from the play of slot machines, revenue that is currently going to Missouri or Oklahoma tribal casinos. (In 2008 these two states received over $460 million in gaming taxes). Our law was intended to allow three of the state’s horse and dog tracks the ability to place slot machines at their facilities. But because the revenue splits are so different for the tracks as compared to the destination casinos, the racetracks were forced to close leaving the racing industry in shambles.
The Kansas horse and greyhound racing industry creates over 3,000 jobs and would generate more than $50 million into our state’s economy each year. But a change in our law must be made in order for this to happen. This change would require the state to receive the same share of revenues from the racetracks as it would from the destination casinos.
This is not about gambling . . . gambling is all around us. This is about redirecting a revenue stream from gambling . . . one that already exists but will continue to leave the state if this law is not changed this year. This is about rural Kansas. Allowing race tracks to get back in business will bring back incentives to raise horses and greyhounds in Kansas once again and regenerate spending on agriculture.
With our state’s budget deficit of over $400 million looking us in the face, something must be done. If you aren’t prepared to pay more taxes then contact our state legislators and convince them to fix the gaming law.
Please I urge you to contact your senator and representative. It is so easy to put this off and let our neighbor do the correspondence. Horse and dog industry, Kansas agriculture needs your help now.
Jeanie Laymon
Neosho Falls, Kan.
