Billionaire Phil Ruffin, 88, has wanted to open a casino in his home state of Kansas for more than two decades. The Wichita native’s dream made a giant step forward this week after it secured the state’s lone license to operate historical horse racing machines (HHRs) in Sedgwick County.
Phil Ruffin plans to bring a casino with historical horse racing machines to the former Wichita Greyhound Park after the billionaire received a state gaming license this week. Ruffin’s team hopes to open the casino sometime in late 2024.
HHRs look and operate similarly to Las Vegas-style slot machines but their outcomes are based on previously run horse races and the machines are actually pari-mutuel wagering devices. The Kansas Legislature last year passed a bill authorizing a single HHR license to be issued by the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC).
Phil Ruffin plans to bring a casino with historical horse racing machines to the former Wichita Greyhound Park after the billionaire received a state gaming license this week. Ruffin’s team hopes to open the casino sometime in late 2024.
HHRs look and operate similarly to Las Vegas-style slot machines but their outcomes are based on previously run horse races and the machines are actually pari-mutuel wagering devices. The Kansas Legislature last year passed a bill authorizing a single HHR license to be issued by the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC).