Penn Kansas to Construct Hollywood Casino in Kansas Speedway

It has been an uphill battle for Kansas when it comes to their casino gaming expansion plan, but this week will give some of the rewards that the state had been hoping for. The developers of a casino facility in Wyandotte County have paid their dues to the county.

The Hollywood Casino at the Kansas Speedway will finally become a reality because of Penn Hollywood Kansas and Speedway Development Corporation, the two subsidiaries that have collaborated in the casino project. The group is expecting to break ground on April 23rd, 2010. Kansas regulators have had to contend with casino developers pulling out of agreement to develop casino facilities in the state for several years.

The state-owned casinos received voter approval a few years ago but the financial crisis has caused several casino developers to reevaluate their plans. Hollywood Casino will be constructed in the Kansas Speedway and is expected to attract visitors to the track.

In exchange for the rights to the gaming facility, the Speedway agreed to host another major NASCAR race to the racing track each year. Gaming analyst Steve Schwartz said that having the project up and running will give some hope to the Kansas Lottery regulators that have been dealing with the complications surrounding the casino gaming expansion.

Schwartz said that the revenue from the casinos will be a big help in balancing the state budget. Wyandotte County will receive millions of dollars from the casino. The counties of Sumner, Ford and Cherokee are the other casino locations in Kansas.

30 May 2010
News Submitted by:
Lauren Desmond

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