Kansas governor bets on gambling revenue

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius is betting USD 81 million that the Kansas courts ultimately will approve the casino gambling law enacted by the Legislature last year.

That’s how much gambling revenue she has put in her budget recommendation for fiscal year 2009, which begins July 1.

The Democratic governor, who released details of her budget Tuesday, wants to spend the gambling revenue on debt reduction and construction projects.

The money would come from slot machine revenue at racetracks, including The Woodlands in Kansas City, Kansas, and „privilege“ fees from two of four proposed casinos, said Duane Goossen, the governor’s budget director. Privilege fees are like earnest money from potential casino operators.