SUMNER COUNTY, Kansas, August 21, 2008 – Will they roll the dice on Wellington or will the cards fall Mulvane’s way? The Kansas Lottery Commission decides Friday where a casino will be built in Sumner County and a jackpot of potential economic development is on the line.

All three potential developers made their final pitch to the board Thursday in Topeka. City leaders in both Wellington and Mulvane want the casino badly, believing the casino would create hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in taxes.

A seven-member board from the Kansas Lottery Commission will announce Friday which developer will manage the casino for the city they believe will create the most money and tourism.
Wellington officials say the two developers who want to build in their town offer better a plan than Mulvane’s.

“I look at some of the challenges they have at the Mulvane site including infrastructure, the flooding issues, the lawsuits, they just have a lot of challenges you don't have at Wellington,” said Shelley Hansel with the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

But Mulvane officials are quick to point out they have a better location. It’s closer to Wichita and they believe that’s going to be the key to the casino being successful.

“The further you drive, the less people will go and the less they'll spend,” Mulvane City Administrator Kent Hixson. “Everything is about being close to your customer base and Exit 33 is several minutes closer to the Wichita market.”

City leaders from both Mulvane and Wellington will be in Topeka for tomorrow’s decision and KSN will be there with the decision as soon as it’s announced.