WICHITA, Kansas, May 14, 2008 – The future of casinos is now in the hands of the State Supreme Court.

Wednesday afternoon, Justices heard arguments from both sides to determine if the Kansas Constitution allows the state to own casinos.

If Kansans want to cash in on casinos, they’ll need a vote of support from seven people.

The Kansas Supreme Court will rule on the constitutionality of the state gambling law. If they favor it, the state will be allowed to own casinos which could mean millions in new revenue. But if they don’t, it will likely end any hope for casino supporters.

"From everything I've heard, they are fair, they are going to make a good decision and we'll live with it whatever it is,” said Representative Vince Wetta (D).

Wetta helped pass legislation in Topeka in 2007, which would put four casinos in Kansas. Under that legislation Wyondotte, Cherokee, Ford and Sumner counties would each have one casino.

Governor Sebelius supports that plan, but she asked the state attorney general to challenge the new law to make sure it was legal. In February, a Shawnee County district judge upheld the law, which brought the case before the State Supreme Court.

While justices heard strong arguments from both sides, Wetta feels the law will stand.

"I compared it to instant replay in football, you don't overturn the call on the field unless there is irrevocable evidence,” Wetta said.

The justices did not indicate when they would release their ruling, but the court's next scheduled date to issue opinions in June 27th. If they do decide to allow state-owned casinos, Kansas would be the first state in the nation to have that power.