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Last Updated: Feb 8th, 2010 - 15:45:09 |
Legal gambling returns to Dodge City after more than 131 years.
Indeed, the last remaining days of legal gambling in "the Wickedest Little City in America" were in the late 19th century were a group of reformers began to stand up against the rackets of Bat Masterson and the Dodge City Gang, according to online reports. The city council passed an anti-gambling law in 1878.
The old Dodge City moral ordinances are long gone. Boothill Casino and Resort opens its doors Wednesday morning with a ribbon cutting ceremony including Governor Mark Parkinson, Kansas Senate President Stephen Morris, Ford County and Dodge City officials.
"It's kind of come full circle," said Sharon Stroburg, casino marketing director. "Being in Dodge City, we've built a facility that is kind of remenicent of the wild west and it just works wells with the whole tourism drive of Dodge City in general. Obviously, back in the day, gambling was a big activitiy here."
Modern day gamblers will see a near 600 slot machines and 10 table games in a casino that took nearly a year to build. In addition to games, the facility will open a bar, restaurant and gift shop. However, handling modern day gamblers comes with state mandated responsibility including video screens at the slot machines that remind gamblers of addiction assistance. State law requires 2 percent of gambling revenue to go to gambling addiction assistance.
The casino hotel, additional gaming space, a spa and salon, and group meeting facilities are expected open in February 2012. Once fully staffed, Stroburg said the casino will employee almost 300 people.
The casino will have a final test, called a controlled demonstration, tomorrow night. A sort-of dress rehearsal, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission and the Kansas Lottery Commission will observe casino operations including the computer systems, and money handling. The casino will be open for business, but through invitation only.
"People come in and they actually play using their own money, eat in the restaurants, just like we're open, but it's a controlled situation," said Stroburg. "Then we close back down at the end of the evening and then we perform all of our routines like we normally would."
About a third of the casino's revenue will be taxed by the state and shared with Ford County and Dodge City. The casino's management contract is through Olathe-based Butler National Services Corp.
Butler National spokesman Craig Stewart told MSNMoney.com in May the first phase of the casino was expected to cost $45 million. The second phase could cost $42.5 million.
The casino contract should bode well for the publicly traded Butler National that recently reported $19,000 in profits at the end of Oct. 31 compared to a loss of $46,000 in Oct. 2008. Butler National also provides manufacturing services for commercial and military aircraft.
For the common folk, the casino will offer free sodas, coffee and bottle water at no charge. Alcohol will be served at reduced prices, Stroburg said.
For full story please see Sunday's Times
© 2008 Southwest Times
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