Casino

[Detector]

I'd bet we'd see that railroad overpass on 2nd we've been needing for decades.

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by deuce91

After reading the article in today's paper, I have a couple of questions to pose. First, the Globe reported that Boot Hill Gaming is a subsidiary of Boot Hill Museum. Therefore, it too would need to be a not-for-profit operation. However, aren't casinos supposed to make money, specifically for their investors? To me, it appears that Boot Hill would own the facility. And doesn't the City of Dodge own the museum? If that's the case, then wouldn't the citizens of Dodge own the casino since we are the ones that pay for Boot Hill? I'm just confused about it as it doesn't make sense. (And perhaps that's the way they want it?)

Secondly, they want to build it northwest of Wright Park? I swear, people just do not listen to us taxpayers. They're going to ram the Wright Park down our throats as the "ideal location" until we have no more Wright Park land left. Because we all know that once we build the casino there, it'll only make sense to build the SEC there too! Sorry for the rant so early in the morning...

I commented to the article online and stated that my understanding of the new gaming law was that the state owned the casino and it would be managed by others. I asked for clarification and that an answer be sent to my email address. This is the response that I received...

Jeff Thorpe did say Boot Hill Gaming would fundamentally own the casino. What he meant by this is that they will develop and manage the casino if they are chosen by the Kansas Lottery to do so. The ultimate ownership of the casino would be the state.

Rick Druse
Managing Editor
Dodge City Daily Globe
(620) 408-9908

[Mike B.]

From the Globe.....Boot Hill Gaming has also been shopping for an operator for the casino and may have found one in Butler National Corp., a Kansas-based avionics firm that also operates casinos in Oklahoma.


Bubba,

I always understood the State would own the casino.

From the E-mail you recieved from Rick Druse and from the paper it seems (to me at least) Boot Hill gambling (opps I meant gaming. I keep forgetting to leave out the BL (big losers). may be looking for a more experienced operator. Maybe some type of sub-lease agreement?

It that pretty much correct?

Just ignor my sarcasim (sp). Couldn't help myself.

You know my thoughts about a casino, but I predict it will pass the County vote.

[TexKan]

Here's what I found............ Looks like the news is a month old............. talk about bein the last to know!


Boot Hill Gaming picks Butler National
20 March 2007


OLATHE, Kansas – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Butler National Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: BUKS) announces its gaming management subsidiary, Butler National Service Corporation has been selected to assist Dodge City, Kansas based Boot Hill Gaming, Inc. with the development and management of a potential Kansas Destination Casino at historic Boot Hill in Dodge City.

Boot Hill Gaming, Inc. is a Dodge City community organization consisting of leaders from the Boot Hill Museum, City of Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas and many volunteer citizen support groups with the purpose of assembling an All-Kansas Team to develop a gaming establishment to enhance and recreate the world famous 1870's experience at the historic Boot Hill Destination in Dodge City.

A March 12, 2007, presentation by Mr. Jeff Thorpe, President of Boot Hill Gaming, to the Kansas Legislature is available for your review at Butlernational.com . This presentation includes the worldwide customer demographics of the Destination Casino and the expected financial results if the Destination Casino is approved.

On March 15, 2007, Boot Hill Gaming, representing Dodge City, Kansas, announced that Butler National Service Corporation of Olathe, Kansas has been selected to be the casino manager for the Boot Hill Destination Casino. Butler National has been assisting Dodge City and Boot Hill Gaming with the research, development plans, financial projections, design and promotion of a Destination Casino at Dodge City with an All-Kansas Team.

Under proposed legislation, the establishment of the Boot Hill Destination Casino requires authorization for casino gaming in Dodge City, the approval of gaming in Ford County, Kansas by the citizens of the County and the formal selection and approval of Butler National Service Corporation as the manager by the State of Kansas.

"Butler National is honored and proud to be selected by Boot Hill Gaming as a part of the All-Kansas Team to assist with the restoration of the historic 1870's experience in Western Kansas. The testimony given by Mr. Thorpe includes estimates by a State of Kansas research study of casino revenue in the Dodge City destination market that range from $50 million to $60 million per year. Development, construction and equipment costs are estimated to be approximately $50 million.

"We believe the majority of this revenue should come from tourists traveling from all over the world to visit Western Kansas sites and the Boot Hill Destination. This activity should result in considerable economic development through direct spending and through the economic multiplier for the supporting businesses at all the historic sites in Western Kansas. Using a conservative multiplier of five, we would project the Boot Hill Destination Casino could create as much as $500 million or more of economic activity in the region. This would be a major addition to the Kansas economy and the Kansas tourism industry," said Clark Stewart, President of Butler National.


Boot Hill Gaming picks Butler National

[TexKan]

Boot Hill Gaming, Inc. is a Dodge City community organization consisting of leaders from the Boot Hill Museum, City of Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas and many volunteer citizen support groups with the purpose of assembling an All-Kansas Team to develop a gaming establishment to enhance and recreate the world famous 1870's experience at the historic Boot Hill Destination in Dodge City.


So who are these money movers? My guess you are gonna hear more about the "All Kansas Team" and less about BootHill Gaming. Just a hunch.

[deuce91]

Thanks for the info Bubba! Clarification is always a good thing...but I'm still confused. The way I understand it is that the state owns the casino building and the license is through the state lottery. They would then lease it out to an operator/manager who is willing to pay the necessary money upfront for the rent and license. Then the tenant would be responsible for day to day operations. That model makes sense to me.

Now if Boot Hill Museum, since Boot Hill Gaming is a subsidiary (which the dictionary defines as: in supporting role, serving to aid, supplement or support something.) gets the OK, will the museum get the millions of dollars they are projecting? It's a private, non-profit organization. Now, that doesn't mean they are not there not to make a profit, it just means that there are no private investors and it operates solely for the benefit of the community. So, if Boot Hill Gaming gets the OK from the state, where is their share of the profit going to go? Back into Boot Hill's coffers since they are a non-profit? (Lord knows they need the help!) Or is Boot Hill gaming actually owned by private investors whose pockets will be brimming with money?

[deuce91]

Sorry for the repost of Texie's info, she snuck in right underneath me. Tricky kitty!

[TexKan]

Sometimes I'm like that!! LOL

I believe the brimming pockets is the correct answer. What a sweet deal for a few. Bet the citizens would have been happy to front some money for the chance to get the $$ return. As usualy the citizens only get to be the "volunteers" to brim those pockets. When will folks learn there more benefit to have the town in on it. Just a mighty sweet deal that's surely been in the works for awhile. "Visionaries" - gotta luv em.

[deuce91]

Perhaps that's what I don't like. They (the ones whose pockets will be lined) are throwing around the Boot Hill Museum name and acting like this will be their saving grace. While a casino will help out the museum with more attendance, the museum won't see a dime of the casino's profit. But I'll bet $10 that that is how it will be presented to the public when it's voting season.

[Mike B.]

Deuce91,

I won't take your bet. Yor are right.

(IMO) Boot Hill doesn't have the upfront money needed to operate the casino outright. Alot of false promotion will be presented to make this whole gambling idea look good.

I spoke with a man from Cripple Creek, CO. He told me that the family based tourism in their community is struggling more than ever since the gambling industry moved in. I don't know, but I suspect that will happen here in Dodge also.

The following commentary was submitted by Wichita-area Republican state Reps. Joe McLeland, Don Myers, Steve Brunk, Mario Goico, Brenda Landwehr, Ted Powers and Dick Kelsey.

"And if legislators felt gambling revenues were so important to Kansas, then wasn't 22 percent a paltry cut and a poorly crafted deal compared with other states' takes? (Indiana gets 30 percent, Illinois 50 percent, Pennsylvania 52 percent, Rhode Island 60 percent and Michigan 61 percent.)

Kansas' pro-gambling politicians must have looked like easy marks to the gambling industry. They negotiated a deal that gives Kansas less than a third of its "own" casino profits -- with 22 percent locked in for the next 15 years.

Which prompts the question: Why would 22 percent look so good to politicians if there wasn't something more personally appealing in the process? Is this government-backed gambling-monopoly-for-billionaires a new hip way to be on the public dole? Or just good, old-fashioned political corruption?"