Oklahoma tribe seeks to expand casino into Kansas

COLUMBUS, Kan. (AP) – An Oklahoma tribe is asking Kansas for permission to expand its casino operation at Downstream Casino Resort into the state.

The Joplin Globe reports a consultant for the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma and the casino has contacted the Cherokee County, Kan., Commission and city governments in Baxter Springs and Galena, Kan., about the proposal. It would also need support from the Riverton School District.

The casino wants to have Class 3 gaming, which consists of dice games and roulette, with the Kansas expansion because Oklahoma law prohibits it in casinos there except in electronic form.

The plan would expand the casino north into nearly 124 acres in Kansas that currently serve as the casino’s parking lot.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is opposing the effort.

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Information from: The Joplin (Mo.) Globe, http://www.joplinglobe.com