Police, KBI close Kansas City casino

? Authorities shut down a tribal-owned casino in the city’s downtown Friday morning, and were preparing to remove more than 150 gambling machines.

State and local officials announced last Thursday the National Indian Gaming Commission had determined the casino was operating illegally, and gave the Wyandotte Tribe of Oklahoma one week to respond. Earlier this week, a federal judge rejected a temporary restraining order sought by the tribe to keep the casino open.

Whitney Watson, a spokesman for Attorney General Phill Kline, said Wyandotte County District Attorney Nick Tomasic obtained warrants Thursday. The warrants were served around 6 a.m. Friday morning by police and agents from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Although state and local officials asked the tribe to comply with the Gaming Commission’s ruling and voluntarily close the casino, Kline’s office said in a news release the tribe remained open for business until the warrants were served.

Watson said authorities have secured the casino as a crime scene. He said the machines will be removed later Friday morning.