casino

CEASE will try again to convince Kansas lawmakers to ban smoking at the four state-owned casinos.

The measure would have amended the Missouri Constitution to allow for a casino to be built near the Osage River and Bagnell Dam, south of U.S. 54. It would have increased the number of state-licensed casinos from 13 to 14.

Backers of Missouri Amendment 2, which would legalized sports gambling, claim in TV and online ads that the resulting revenue will boost public education. But its detractors point out there is no evidence Missouri schools will see any benefit.

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, is tackling political issues even as polarization burdens congregations across the country. Plus: Residents near the Lake of the Ozarks hope that approving a new casino could help bring in more tax revenue and fund some long-needed infrastructure projects.

Missouri Amendment 5 on the November ballot would clear the way for a new casino to be placed in the popular vacation spot.

While sports betting is allowed in Kansas, Missouri lawmakers have failed to agree on a way to legalize it. A constitutional amendment on Missouri's November ballot would open the door to online apps, casinos and gambling boats accepting sports bets.

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft initially said that the plan didn’t receive enough signatures in Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District. But a judge on Friday ruled that backers did collect enough, and ordered the measure included as Amendment 5 in the November election.

The Osage River Gaming & Convention Committee is asking a judge to reverse a decision by the Missouri Secretary of State’s office that its initiative petition didn't have enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.

If approved by Misouri voters, the development would include a hotel, convention center, restaurants and other attractions.

Federal recognition entails the United States acknowledging a tribe as a separate government entity — denoting their right to self-governance. Currently, the U.S. recognizes 574 tribal nations. For the Wyandot Nation of Kansas to join them, they'll need the support of non-natives like members of Congress.

Gambling industry lobbyists say a bipartisan bill that would prohibit smoking in Kansas casinos would drive customers away.

Kansas' gaming law, which followed years of legislative debate over the merits of sports betting, is written to allow sports betting companies who partner with casinos to deduct promotional subsidies from taxable revenue.