KRGC Issues Show Cause Letters to Three Race Track Licensees

For Immediate Release September 8, 2008 For more information contact: Mike Deines, Director of Communications (785) 296-5800 RACING AND GAMING COMMISSION AUTHORIZES "SHOW CAUSE" LETTERS BE SENT TO RACE TRACK LICENSEES Topeka - The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission today voted unanimously to issue "show cause" letters to the licensees of the state's three race tracks for failure to operate a racing meet. This process could initiate revocation hearings before the commission if the licensees do not cure the lapse in the terms of their license. The commission gave the licensees 30-days notice of its intent to revoke the licenses if progress is not made to restart racing programs at the pari-mutuel facilities. An administrative hearing has been set for October 13-14 to hear from each of the entities. "The greyhound and horse racing industries in Kansas are important to the state's economy," said Stephen Martino, executive director of the commission. "It's the commission's responsibility to look out for the best interests of the state's racing and breeding industries. Those industries will wither without racing at our race tracks. "The commission hopes that the existing license holders work hard during the next 30 days to restart their racing programs. Absent that occurring, the commission may determine that it owes it to the people of Kansas and to the state's racing industry to see if other entities would be interested in operating a race track." Today's decision includes the organizational and facility manager licensees for the Woodlands in Kansas City, Camptown Greyhound Park in Frontenac and Wichita Greyhound Park in Wichita for a total of six licenses. Each of the entities will have an opportunity to present evidence at the scheduled October hearing. A time and location for that hearing will be announced at a later date. ###