License granted to Phil Ruffin for Wichita historical horseracing casino

Unanimous approval has been given by The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC) for Phil Ruffin to develop Wichita’s closed Greyhound Park property into a historical horseracing (HRR) casino. A license has been granted for the proposed $100m project called Golden Circle.

Wichita Greyhound Park closed in 2007, and was purchased by Ruffin in 2018. The KRGC disqualified any other potential developers in a ruling earlier this week after further scrutiny of the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act.

Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission Chairman David Moses said of the license approval, “With the presentations, with the information they provided during the application process as well as during those three days of hearings overwhelmingly convinced us they had the wherewithal, economics, the ability and the vision to be successful with a HHR casino.”

Golden Circle Casino will include 1,000 HHR machines, simulcast wagering, a hotel with over 100 rooms, a nightclub and other non-gaming entertainment options. The Ruffin Companies predicts 300 permanent jobs will be created by the new venue.

A representative from Ruffin’s team, Jason Watkins, said there was “a lot of effort by Mr. Ruffin over the years to get that park back open in some capacity.” Golden Circle Casino is planned to open in early 2025.

Wichita’s Park City Mayor John Lehnherr also commented on the approval of the license and eventual new casino, stating it would be a possibility for economic growth in the area.

Lehnherr said, “We have the interstate that comes through with four exits and that’s a lot of people from other areas stopping to spend some of their money. We would like to have as much opportunity for them to stop and leave their money here.”

Stephanie Feeley

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