MULVANE, Kansas (KSN) -- After nearly five years of political wrangling and a couple of broken promises, the Kansas Star Casino is now officially open to the public.
More than 1,000 gamblers poured through the doors in the first hour after starting business at 8 a.m.
“I'm kind of surprised that backwards Kansas finally, finally comes forward to do something fairly intelligent,” said Kelly Brown of Wichita as he waiting in line outside the casino to get inside.
Back in the summer of 2007, Sedgwick County voters rejected a Wichita casino. Sumner County passed a referendum allowing the state’s south-central casino to be built in their county.
It took years to settle on a developer and a building site. After two other developers backed out, Peninsula Gaming of Iowa won the rights last December to enter into a contract with the state and build off the turnpike in Mulvane.
“It’s been a long road to get to this point but now that we're officially open we're very happy,” said Scott Cooper, G.M. of the Kansas Star.
The casino is a temporary facility as construction continues on the permanent structure. That facility should be ready by the end of 2012. In the meantime, 1300 slot machines and 32 table games have been set up on the floor of what will eventually become a multi-purpose arena.
500 people have been hired to work at Kansas Star.
“Most of my employees come from around here either Wellington, or Wichita, or Mulvane so it's a blessing to have something this close that offers opportunities for work,” said Bechir Dridi, Kansas Star Casino food service manager.
Plans call for another 60 people to be hired. Another round of dealer training starts next week.
Until more employees are hired and trained, the casino will be open just 18 hours a day from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Once more employees are ready, the casino plans to remain open around the clock.
