If the success of a gambling proposal depends on a unified effort, state officials had better be looking for alternative revenue sources.

The message a veteran legislator took to a meeting of the governor’s special committee on gambling this week was that proponents of expanded gaming in the state must “speak with one voice.”

“Unless the proponents are united … it will not happen,” said Rep. Kenny Wilk, R-Lansing.

If what Wilk is saying is true, the state better not hold its breath waiting for an influx of revenue from new gambling operations.

It’s not that there aren’t proposals on the table. The Wyandotte tribe of Oklahoma opened a gambling parlor in downtown Kansas City, Kan., apparently in hope of forcing action on their proposal to building a casino near the Kansas Speedway. Two Kansas tribes, the Kickapoo and Sac and Fox, also are eyeing that location. The Delaware tribe, which floated a casino proposal for north of Lawrence a few years ago, also has an option to buy property near the speedway for a casino and hotel.

The issue also is heating up in Wichita, where the owner of the restored Radisson Broadview Hotel says he would like to expand his holdings in downtown Wichita and open a casino. The owner of the Wichita Greyhound Park has offered to move his track downtown and build a venue that would include other gambling and entertainment offerings. Such a move certainly would change the face of downtown Wichita, for better or worse.

So, where’s the cooperation? Wichita officials are taking a hands-off approach to the proposals there, taking no position and making no moves to push for state action that would allow expanded gambling. The various American Indian tribes certainly have no desire to see the right to operate gambling establishments expanded to non-Indian groups and might unite to fight such an expansion, but it seems unlikely that Kansas tribes would partner with out-of-state tribes that are seeking to move into Kansas.

Sen. Chris Steineger, D-Kansas City, supports a “county option” plan, which would allow voters in each county to decide whether to allow expanded gambling there. Steineger’s plan calls for the gambling venues to be owned and operated by the state, but private developers could link hotels, entertainment venues and other ventures to the casino. If such a plan is approved by the Legislature, it would open some doors for developments in Wyandotte and Sedgwick counties if voters approve gambling.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and others have voiced support for expanded gambling in hopes of raising additional revenue for the state. Many observers had predicted that the state’s dire financial status would force action on a gambling proposal during the 2003 legislative session. It didn’t happen then and seems unlikely in 2004.