The Canadian-based Nova Group has backed out of plans to submit a proposal for a destination-based casino in Sumner County.
Sumner County Economic Development Director Janis Hellard said she received notification from the casino developers Tuesday, Nov. 20 and they would not submit a proposal for a Wellington site.
Hellard said she believes the time frame was the issue for the casino developers, who requested a 90 day extension from the Sumner County Commissioners in October.
The Sumner County Commissioners granted a 45 day extension, with the deadline for all proposals for Sumner County casinos next Wednesday, Nov. 28.
Casino developers will give public presentations on their proposals on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 10 and 11 at the Raymond Frye Complex.
The Commissioners will determine which proposals to endorse during a special meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 12.
For their consideration will likely be two Mulvane proposals - a Harrah’s casino presented by Sumner Gaming and a complex built by Unity Gaming which will include Foxwoods Development, Inc. with MGM Mirage.
Harrah’s Entertainment Corp. and MGM Mirage are the first and second-largest casino operators in the United States.
Penn National Gaming, the fourth largest casino operator, is proposing a casino at the Wellington exit of the Kansas Turnpike.
Charter Equities is also working through the channels to prepare land north of US 160 on the Kansas Turnpike for a casino development. That land may be developed by casino developers representing the Nevada-based Binion Family Trust, although Charter Equities have not yet announced who they are working with for casino development.
Attorney Lloyd Buzzi, representing the Binion Family Trust, also asked the Sumner County Commissioners for an extension of time in October which was under the 45 day extension granted.
And, while Wellington has offered solid support of a destination-based resort casino, the support in Mulvane has been questionable.
Sumner County Clerk Shane Shields said they have received several pieces of correspondence for that area both in support of and against a casino.
Hundreds of Mulvane area residents signed a petition asking the City of Mulvane to deny utilities and annexation to a casino.
That petition is being looked at by the Attorney General’s office to rule on its constitutionality.
In the wake of that negative campaign at Mulvane, the Mulvane Chamber of Commerce is campaigning for a Mulvane site for the casino.
A letter signed by Mulvane Chamber President Ron Paul references the WSU study which found a casino located at Mulvane would generate roughly $40 million more in annual gross gaming revenues than a Wellington site.
The same study was used by Bob Knight and Foxwoods Development Corp. when they chose the Mulvane location for their casino development after working for two years with Wellington’s city leaders on the casino issue.
The letter says there would be a greater initial investment at the Mulvane exit than at “a site further south,” however, the plans presented to city and county zoning boards from the casino developers have all been higher than the $225 million investment required.
Penn National Gaming, which is proposing a casino at a Wellington location, has announced casino plans of $500 million ??” higher than any of the other casino developments have announced.
The Foxwoods and MGM proposal is expected to be around $425 million.
Harrah’s Entertainment has not released the top dollar of their casino development because of competition with the other casino developers.
Wellington residents participated in a letter-writing campaign in favor of a Wellington site supported by State Rep. Vince Wetta, D-Wellington.
State Rep. Ted Powers, R-Mulvane, has asked the commissioners to endorse all proposals which meet the state standards.
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