PDF of news release

DATE: November 25, 2009
CONTACT: Sally Lunsford (785) 296-5708, sally.lunsford@kslottery.net

Kansas Lottery Rejects Application;
Application Process in Southeast Gaming Zone Remains Open

TOPEKA, KAN. – The Kansas Lottery has rejected an application from a group seeking to manage a state-owned casino in the Southeast Gaming Zone of Kansas, thereby keeping open the application process in the Southeast Zone.

A letter was sent to Ozark Trail Gaming LLC November 24, informing the group that its application must be rejected because it fails to demonstrate that the applicant meets the minimum requirements to become a Lottery Gaming Facility Manager. The letter states, in part, that the applicant “provided no information that would indicate that Ozark Trail has access to financial resources to support the activities required of a Lottery Gaming Facility Manager,” and “no evidence that the applicant has any Class III gaming experience,” as required by the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act.

The rejection of the Ozark Trail Gaming application means that the application process in the Southeast Zone remains open, with a deadline of January 15, 2010, for new applications to be received. Ozark Trail Gaming may submit a new application within that time frame, if it wishes. If no applications are received by January 15, the deadline will automatically be extended to April 16, 2010.

Ozark Trail Gaming LLC submitted its application October 19, 2009. Since that time, the Lottery and its attorneys have been reviewing the application. Ozark Trail Gaming LLC proposed to build a casino in Cherokee County at U.S. Highway 166/400, one mile north of I-44. The managing member of the LLC is Henry Blase, with other members listed as Henry Blase, trustee of the Schultz Family Trust; Robert G. Knight; and Theron Froggatte.