Sunday, January 07, 2007

An organization that lobbies for expanded casino gambling in Kansas released
a poll this week showing 46 percent of Kansans support the creation of more
nontribal casinos in the state. Thirty-nine percent of the 500 respondents,
all registered voters, opposed the idea, and 15 percent were undecided. The
survey was commissioned by Kansans for Economic Growth and was conducted
Nov. 14-16 by Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates. The poll, with a 4.3
percent margin for error, comes as the Legislature prepares for Monday's
start of the 2007 legislative session. Expanding casino gambling long has
been an issue before the Legislature but hasn't passed. Supporters say the
state loses revenue to casinos in neighboring Oklahoma and Missouri. They
say that money could be used for schools or to reduce property taxes.
Opponents of casino gambling point to its associated social ills and say
casinos are a drain on other entertainment-related businesses. Park City and
the Wichita Greyhound Park have been in the running for additional gambling
opportunities in the past, either through a destination casino or slot
machines at the dog track.