KQHRA is engaged in a legislative effort that, if successful, would allow The Woodlands in Kansas City to operate slot machines.

The Kansas Expanded Lottery Act which passed in 2007 legalized the operation of slot machines at racetracks in the state but included a tax rate of 40% of the net revenues for the state while the destination casinos are taxed at only 22%.

Owners of the racetracks say they cannot afford to install and operate the machines at the current state's takeout. The proposed legislation would drop the state's share from slot revenue down to 22%. It would also create the possibility for Sedgewick County, where Wichita Greyhound Park (WGP) is located, to have another vote to determine if slots should be operated there. Proponents of slots argue that confusion in the wording on the ballot for county-wide approval in 2007 may have led to it being voted down.

Over 110,000 votes were cast and the question failed by 245 votes in that election. The question did not mention that WGP would be the only location authorized, leaving many voters with the notion they were voting to allow slot machines at unlimited locations in the county. A share of revenue from the greyhound tracks will benefit horse racing at The Woodlands, Eureka Downs and Anthony Downs.

The KQHRA is asking for industry-wide support to help push this legislation through. For more information go to http://rutlandranch.net/legislativeupdate.html.