Quapaw Tribe announces partnership for state casino in Kansas


The site of the former Camptown Greyhound Park in Frontenac, Kansas. Image from Google Maps

The Quapaw Tribe announced plans to manage a state-owned casino in Kansas, just 40 miles from its flagship gaming facility.

The tribe will work with Phil Ruffin, the owner of the defunct Camptown Greyhound Park, to convert the site into a casino. The plan depends on approval from the Kansas Lottery Commission.


An aerial view of the former Camptown Greyhound Park in Frontenac, Kansas. Image from Google Maps

"Phil Ruffin has an amazing history of success and we have a great history as well. Together we can succeed in an even greater way," Chairman John Berrey said in a press release. "We look forward to sharing further details and kicking off this project in the near future."


The Downstream Casino Resort. Photo from Facebook

The tribe operates the Downstream Casino Resort just 40 miles north of the Camptown site. The gaming portion sits on trust land in Oklahoma while other parts of the facility are located in Missouri and Kansas.

"This will be a full-scale, state-of-the-art casino. I'd say it would be a slightly smaller version of Downstream Casino, with the kind of style and quality the Quapaw Tribe is known for," Ruffin said in a press release.

Kansas law authorizes four state-owned casinos in different regions. The Southeast Region remains undeveloped, however, due to perceived competition from the tribe.

To attract development, the state lowered the investment level for the region and lowered the licensing fee. Applications will be accepted through December 19.

Get the Story:
Quapaw Tribe, Casino Want To Convert SE Kansas Dog Track To A Casino (AP 8/4)
Partnership with Downstream seeks to reopen Camptown as casino (The Joplin Globe 8/5)
Tribe, casino owner partner for Kansas facility (The Wichita Eagle 8/5)

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