Owned and operated by the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma the new Sedgwick County property is the culmination of 30 years of work.
Once fully operational the 20,000 square-foot site will operate 500 slot machines, 200 VGT units and separate high stakes games 24 hours a day.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony Wyandotte Nation Chief, Billy Friend addressed a crowd including a raft of local officials, stating that the day had been “a long time coming”.
The Crosswinds project has endured decades of legal wrangling, and even on opening night a federal suit seeking to block gaming on the site is ongoing. The federal government granted the tribe license to operate in May of last year, but later in August Kansas Attorney General, Derek Schmidt announced a federal suit to prevent any wagering activities. A judge ruled against the plaintiffs in November in a motion for preliminary injunction, but the case continues.
Regarding the ongoing case, the state attorney general’s office filed a brief on 5 Feb with the US District Court in Topeka and later on 26 Feb, the court granted the federal government’s request for an extension to file a response brief – now due 15 March.
"Until that decision is made, they are opening their doors," Sedgwick County Commissioner Lacey Cruse said. "Sedgwick County will be a good partner to ensure the safety of all residents who enter their doors."
Header image: Wichita Eagle
