Parkinson denies extension for Sumner County casino
Gov. Mark Parkinson on Thursday denied a request for a 60-day extension for the approval of a casino in Sumner County.
The Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board asked for the extension this week as it considers whether to approve the proposed Chisholm Creek Casino Resort near Mulvane. The review board has until April 19 to take action.
“I believe it is not in the best interest of Kansas, or the project stakeholders, to put this decision off any longer,” Parkinson said in a statement. “The state of Kansas needs a clear understanding of its finances, including Chisholm Creek’s $25 million application fee, which is already being counted in this year’s budget. It is in everyone’s best interests to move forward with this proposal in a timely manner and to avoid further delays.”
Chisholm Creek developers are seeking to build a casino under the state’s 2007 expanded gambling law that allows a single casino in Sumner County.
But the group this week expressed concern to the gaming facility review board about zoning uncertainties at its site.
Parkinson, however, says the zoning issues have been resolved and “any litigation is unlikely to impact the zoning of the proposed site.”
Parkinson noted the Chisholm Creek application — a joint venture by Foxwoods Development Co. and Lakes Entertainment Inc. — was submitted more than a year ago. As it has moved through the process, the proposal already has received two extensions.
The denial means the gaming facility review board still has until April 19 to take action.
A representative with Lakes Entertainment didn’t immediately return a call for comment.
The company said earlier this week that it requested the extension to allow more time to resolve the zoning issues at the site. It isn’t clear, with the extension no longer a possibility, whether the casino group will move forward with its proposal.
The casino would be managed by Minnesota-based Lakes Entertainment, which would have at least 1,300 slot machines, 30 table games and a poker room. It also would have a 100-room hotel.
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