Commissioners Pull Agenda Item Seeking A Vote on Slot Machines

(Sedgwick County, Kan.) – The Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners (BOCC) on Wednesday pulled an agenda item seeking a referendum on electronic gaming at a licensed pari-mutuel facility.

Commissioners said they support voters having a chance to weigh in on a licensed pari-mutuel facility, but a referendum is the authority of state lawmakers.

A ballot question, if passed by a majority of voters, would have been presented to the Kansas Legislature for its consideration to authorize electronic machine gaming at the former Wichita Greyhound Park, which closed in 2007. Sedgwick County voters considered allowing slot machines at a licensed pari-mutuel location in 2007, but the ballot question failed by a narrow margin. 

Some Commissioners said they had been asked by citizens to allow a second vote, citing also a recent public opinion poll on the matter.

Chairman David Dennis praised his fellow Commissioners for working through the issue over the past week and he thanked the public.

“Thank you to the public for being so vocal,” Dennis said, “and for working through an issue that has been very trying.”

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