Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway

Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway
Location Kansas City, Kansas
Address 777 Hollywood Casino Boulevard
Opening dateFebruary 3, 2012
Casino typeLand-based
Operating license holderPenn Entertainment
Coordinates39°06′41″N 94°49′39″W / 39.1113°N 94.8274°W / 39.1113; -94.8274
Websitewww.hollywoodcasinokansas.com

Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway is a casino located adjacent to the Kansas Speedway in the Village West area of Kansas City, Kansas. It opened on February 3, 2012, and is operated by Penn Entertainment.[1][2]

History

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Battle for state-owned casino bid

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Starting in 2004, proposals by the Kickapoo tribe and the Sac and Fox Nation to build a state-regulated casino at a budget of $210 million west of the track were made to the Kansas Legislature.[3] The proposal to allow state-run casinos faced heavy opposition from several businessmen and lobbying groups, stating that the casino's revenue under the bill was too low along with chances of potential government corruption.[4][5] By March 2005, Doug Mays, speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives, declared that the tribes' compact was killed in the current session unless they allowed the state to inspect slot machines.[5]

Within the next two years, four more proposals were made. In 2007, another proposal was made in a joint venture by the track and the Cordish Corporation to compete with five other proposals that planned to build near the area, including competition from Las Vegas Sands and Pinnacle Entertainment.[6] With this, the Unified Government opted to hear all proposals by the end of the year, with all proposals having varying budgets.[7] The track later stated that their 500-room hotel and casino would cost around $600 million.[8] In October, a seventh proposal was added,[9] along with the track proposal stating that no eminent domain land would be used.[10] By December, the government heard three proposals.[11] The project later received criticism from government watchdog group Americans For Prosperity-Kansas for being too related and being funded by revenue bonds or prior tax financing; something the group argued was illegal under Kansas law.[12] By March 2008, the group filed a lawsuit in the Kansas Supreme Court against the state-owned Kansas Lottery claiming that the project would "create an illegal tax";[13] however, the law itself was viewed itself as "extremely murky" by Kansas City Star writer Rick Alm on whether the law's wording was retroactive.[14] The next month, Las Vegas Sands opted to submit their proposal despite Kansas Lottery refusing to hear it.[15]

In May, Kansas Lottery approved five proposals in Wyandotte County.[16] On June 27, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that state-owned casinos were constitutional, resuming the bid for a casino near the track.[17] Two months later, Lesa France Kennedy endorsed the track's bid, adding the promise of a second NASCAR Cup Series race weekend if the Kansas government chose the track's proposal.[18] The next month, the track promised the addition of an infield road course if they were selected.[19] Three days before the decision, Pinnacle withdrew their proposal as part of consequences of Unified Government officials appearing in a promotional video along with stagnation in the United States' economy.[20][21] On September 19, Kansas Lottery gave the track and the Cordish Corporation their approval to build a $705 million casino branded under the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino name.[22]

Casino delays

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The first phase of opening was slated for a June 2009 date; however, this was later slated to sometime later in the year.[23] In addition, the Cordish Corporation threatened to end their partnership due to a local Kansas City proposed law banning indoor smoking, but they later backtracked the threat;[24] the city later gave exemptions to the casino for smoking.[25] However, in December, as part of consequences due to the Great Recession, the partnership backed out, with the partnership hoping to reapply in the near future when the economy rose.[26] In January, the partnership announced plans to resubmit their proposal by April 1.[27] On March 31, the decision was confirmed,[28] with the partnership now having to go against two other proposals: one from Penn Entertainment and one from Golden Heartland.[29] By May, the Kansas Speedway partnership and Penn Entertainment's proposals managed to advance further into the planning stages.[30] Due to the Great Recession and its effects, both proposals, which initially had budgets of over $600 million, were cut to around $350 million for both proposals.[31]

In September, the two proposals essentially merged into one when Penn Entertainment bought out the Cordish Corporation.[32] As a result of the buyout, the Hard Rock branding was scrapped in favor of a Hollywood-themed casino, with an approval decision for the new $521 million proposal to come in December.[33] Despite being the only proposal left, the Kansas Lottery stated that they would not become a "rubber stamp" for the proposal despite renewed promises of a second NASCAR Cup Series race weekend.[34] On December 1, the Kansas Lottery approved the proposal without the hotel at a budget of $386 million, with a planned opening date in early 2012.[35] The project was given the final go-ahead in February 2010, when the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission signed off licensing background checks.[36]

Construction of Hollywood Casino, schedule changes

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Boreger stepped down from track leadership to run Kansas Entertainment and the casino, promoting the track's vice president of marketing and sales, Patrick Warren, to run the track in March 2010.[37] Warren announced a desire to rebound from effects from the Great Recession.[38] On April 28, the final casino plan was announced, calling for around 2,300 slot machines, around 1,050 employees, and a 300-room hotel expansion on a 268,000 square foot plot of land.[39] Groundbreaking on the Hollywood Casino commenced on April 30, 2010. As a result of France Kennedy's promise of a second Cup Series race weekend if the casino was built, the future of the IndyCar Series at the track was left uncertain due to scheduling conflicts.[40] In July, ISC petitioned for the track to get a second Cup Series race weekend,[41] and by August 7, the Kansas City Star reported that the track would get a second race weekend.[42] On August 10, NASCAR officially confirmed the second NASCAR race weekend, along with the track announcing the addition of lights for night racing.[43][44] The next month, IndyCar announced their departure from the track.[45] The casino's topping out ceremony was performed on March 23, 2011,[46] with the casino opening to the public on February 3, 2012.[47]

Facility

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Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway's gaming area contains over 1,500 slot machines and 35 table games.[48] In addition to the gaming area, the facility offers four restaurants including Final Cut Steakhouse, Turn 2 Sports Bar & Restaurant, Marquee Café, and Pit Stop.[49]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Carpenter, Tim (January 2, 2012). "Hollywood Casino set to open Feb. 3". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  2. ^ Hawley, Brenna (January 3, 2012). "Feb. 3 marks telling date for Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway". Kansas City Business Journal. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  3. ^ Alm, Rick (October 21, 2004). "Legislators examine Wyco casino proposal". The Kansas City Star. pp. C1, C5. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ Alm, Rick (February 2, 2005). "Bill envisions Kansas casinos, slots". The Kansas City Star. pp. C3. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ a b Alm, Rick (March 22, 2005). "Reservations About Gambling". The Kansas City Star. pp. D1, D18, D19. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ^ Alm, Rick (September 18, 2007). "Speedway To Mount Joint Bid For Casino". The Kansas City Star. pp. A1, A9. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. ^ Alm, Rick; Wiebe, Rick (September 25, 2007). "Dreamers line up for KCK casino". The Kansas City Star. pp. A1, A6. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  8. ^ Covitz, Randy (September 28, 2007). "Slots And Cars". The Kansas City Star. pp. D1, D10. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  9. ^ Alm, Rick (October 7, 2007). "Seventh casino plan is offered". The Kansas City Star. pp. A1, A6. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  10. ^ Alm, Rick (October 25, 2007). "New plan eliminates eminent domain land". The Kansas City Star. pp. C1, C6. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  11. ^ Alm, Rick; Wiebe, Rick (December 14, 2007). "Casino Picks Sent To State". The Kansas City Star. pp. B1, B4. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  12. ^ Alm, Rick (February 5, 2008). "Watchdog Questions Legality Of Casinos". The Kansas City Star. pp. D1, D5. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  13. ^ Alm, Rick (March 25, 2008). "Tax group is part of suit on casinos". The Kansas City Star. pp. D3, D5. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  14. ^ Alm, Rick (April 8, 2008). "Untangling Kansas' Mess Over Casinos". The Kansas City Star. pp. D11, D17. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  15. ^ Wiebe, Mark (April 3, 2008). "Sand Forces KCK's Hand". The Kansas City Star. pp. C3. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  16. ^ Alm, Rick (May 28, 2008). "10 casino plans OK'd in Kansas". The Kansas City Star. pp. C1, C3. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  17. ^ Alm, Rick; Klepper, Rick (June 28, 2008). "Court Affirms Kansas Casinos". The Kansas City Star. pp. A1, A14. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  18. ^ Covitz, Randy (August 14, 2008). "Racing tradeoff offered". The Kansas City Star. pp. D1, D4. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  19. ^ Pedley, Jim (September 1, 2008). "Speedway sweetens the deal for casino". The Kansas City Star. pp. C1, C10. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  20. ^ Alm, Rick (August 15, 2008). "Officials In Video May Face Trouble". The Kansas City Star. pp. C1, C2. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  21. ^ Alm, Rick (September 17, 2008). "Pinnacle Pulls Out Of Efforts For Casino". The Kansas City Star. pp. C1, C5. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  22. ^ Alm, Rick; Klepper, David (September 20, 2008). "Hard Rock to roll in KCK". The Kansas City Star. pp. A1, A12. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  23. ^ Alm, Rick (October 10, 2008). "Opening Of Casino May Have To Wait". The Kansas City Star. pp. C1, C3. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  24. ^ Alm, Rick (October 18, 2008). "Cordish abandons threat on smoke ban". The Kansas City Star. pp. C1, C5. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  25. ^ Davis, Mark (November 11, 2008). "Now, Only Rubber Will Burn". The Kansas City Star. pp. D3, D20. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  26. ^ Alm, Rick (December 6, 2008). "Partners in KCK casino back out". The Kansas City Star. pp. A1, A10. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  27. ^ Alm, Rick (January 27, 2009). "Hard Rock May Still Roll In Kansas". The Kansas City Star. pp. D9. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  28. ^ Manning, Carol (March 31, 2009). "Kansas Speedway requests casino". Springfield News-Leader. Associated Press. pp. 7A. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  29. ^ Wiebe, Mark (April 2, 2009). "Kansas Receives Casino Plans". The Kansas City Star. pp. A1, A4. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  30. ^ Wiebe, Mark (March 28, 2000). "Casino proposals advance in WyCo". The Kansas City Star. pp. A4. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  31. ^ Wiebe, Mark (June 4, 2009). "Smaller casino plans on table". The Kansas City Star. pp. A4, A5. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  32. ^ Hanna, John (September 21, 2009). "Change in brand name for Kansas casino becomes an issue". The Manhattan Mercury. Associated Press. pp. A3. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  33. ^ Bormann, Dawn; Klepper, David (September 11, 2009). "Rivals Unite For WyCo Casino". The Kansas City Star. pp. A1, A10. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  34. ^ Bormann, Dawn (September 16, 2009). "New casino won't get 'rubber stamp'". The Kansas City Star. pp. A12. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  35. ^ Klepper, David (December 2, 2009). "Kansas OKs planned casino". The Kansas City Star. pp. A1, A14. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  36. ^ Bormann, Dawn (February 13, 2010). "Casino clears its final state hurdle". The Kansas City Star. pp. A15. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  37. ^ Covitz, Randy (March 30, 2010). "Track executives move up". The Kansas City Star. pp. B3. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  38. ^ Covitz, Randy (April 1, 2010). "Leader of the track". The Kansas City Star. pp. B3. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  39. ^ Collision, Kevin (April 28, 2010). "Construction industry welcomes casino project". The Kansas City Star. pp. A11, A12. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  40. ^ Covitz, Randy (May 1, 2010). "IndyCar race might face a crunch". The Kansas City Star. pp. B4. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  41. ^ "Speedway stock on the rise". The Kansas City Star. July 2, 2010. pp. B1, B4. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  42. ^ Covitz, Randy (August 7, 2010). "Second race is coming". The Kansas City Star. pp. B1, B9. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  43. ^ Covitz, Randy (August 11, 2010). "Double Vision". The Kansas City Star. pp. B1, B10. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  44. ^ Covitz, Randy (August 10, 2010). "Lights are on for Kansas Speedway". The Kansas City Star. pp. B1, B3. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  45. ^ Covitz, Randy (September 11, 2010). "IndyCar out at Kansas". The Kansas City Star. pp. B1, B5. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  46. ^ Covitz, Randy (March 24, 2011). "Track casino clears milestone". The Kansas City Star. pp. B5. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  47. ^ Palmer, Tod (February 4, 2012). "On fast track to jackpot". The Kansas City Star. pp. B1, B3. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  48. ^ "Casino: Slots, Baccarat and Craps". Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  49. ^ "Kansas City Restaurants: Steakhouse, Buffet, & More". Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
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