Two of the gambling industry's leading companies are courting Mulvane city officials, hoping to land endorsements they need to keep proposed casino projects alive.
Harrah's Entertainment and MGM Mirage, both based in Las Vegas, can't compete for a state contract to build and operate a casino for the Kansas Lottery in Sumner County unless they have the endorsement of local officials.
So far, the Sumner County Commission hasn't endorsed proposals they've made for hotel-casino complexes at the Mulvane exit of the Kansas Turnpike. But the county commission's endorsement won't be necessary if Mulvane annexes their proposed sites and the city backs their projects.
The City Council annexed the Harrah's site Monday; MGM Mirage has asked to have its site annexed, too.
Harrah's and MGM Mirage's proposals are competing with two other projects proposed off the turnpike's Wellington exit, 14 miles to the south. The county commission endorsed the Wellington proposals last month.
Those proposals are competing with Wellington projects proposed by Penn National Gaming, of Wyomissing, Pa., and Marvel Gaming of Las Vegas. Penn National's proposal is $365 million, and Marvel's is $390 million. |