Kansas Slot Machines

Kansans looking to legalize slot machines are already on the ball trying to get a bill passed. The 2007 legislative session is about to get underway, and those that support the slot machines are ready for them. The history of slot machines, however, has not been a positive one, although they think this could be the year they turn it around.

The Senate has looked into the legalization of slot machines many times over the past 13 years, and vetoed it every time. With the Kansas lottery up for renewal though, many think they have a better chance than before. They think that they might be able to piggyback slot machines onto the lottery as just expanded gambling, instead of having a separate slot machine bill.

Those opposed to the slot machines say “never say never,” but they think the chances of the bill going through that way just won’t happen. There are at least two in the legislature that are trying to get slot machine bills passed anyway. Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley is trying to get state run slot machine casinos to pay for deferred maintenance at state universities. Rep. Tom Burroughs is trying to get slot machines at the racetracks. He said he has had conversations with some of his constituents who are asking for the slot machines to come to their county.

Others think that because there have been so many slot machines being legalized in other states, that to think that they wouldn’t be in Kansas is absurd. They think that people see slot machines as less of a danger than they used to, and they see the amounts of revenue coming in and want a piece of it.


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