Editorial: Wyandotte casino bid bad for the community

Thursday, March 4, 2010  

"Kansas' casino review board was just being cautious Wednesday in asking for more time and information before it makes a decision on the proposed Chisholm Creek Casino Resort near Mulvane. Real questions remain about how a Sumner County casino would be affected if a proposed tribal casino materializes in Park City in Sedgwick County — something that would defy public will and be bad for the community.

When its say came in August 2007, Sedgwick County ceded its claim on a casino to Sumner County, also nixing slot machines at the greyhound track.

The people spoke and that election should stand — which is why it's so troubling that the Wyandotte Tribe of Oklahoma proposes to put a $20 million to $30 million bingo-style casino on 10.5 acres it owns in Park City.

Though a tribal representative has suggested the tribe would share casino revenue with local governments, there is no guarantee; the casino would be untaxed and largely unregulated. It's possible that local governments could get all the social and security costs associated with casino gambling with none of the benefits, save for several hundred jobs.

In addition, as Attorney General Steve Six has argued, the Wyandotte tribe has no historical connection to the Park City land and the casino would be 270 miles from the tribe's reservation in Ottawa County, Okla. Even if the tribe gets the go- ahead from President Obama's Interior Department and manages to open this year, the casino will not belong in the community."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Tribal casino would defy public will (The Wichita Eagle 3/4)

Also Today:
State seeks details on casino (The Wichita Eagle 3/4)

Earlier Story:
Wyandotte Nation awaits action on Kansas casino (2/22)