Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Thursday reiterated her support of expanded gambling and said an investigation into allegations of illegal betting at The Woodlands shouldn’t affect an upcoming legislative debate on the issue.

“What the investigation indicates is that the regulators take their job seriously, and they want to make sure that we have people engaged in this business who are following the rules,” Sebelius said.

Last week, officials confirmed to the Lawrence Journal-World that the attorney general’s office is investigating allegations at The Woodlands horse and dog track in Kansas City, Kan.

James Gartland, the former general manager of the track, paid a $300 fine last year after pleading no contest to having a gambler place wagers to help cover the required minimum in a wagering pool.

Gartland said no one made any money or got cheated in the deal.

This year, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission refused to approve Gartland’s periodic background check, which essentially removed him as general manager, although he continues to work at the track in “nonracing operations.”

Gartland has denied any wrongdoing, is fighting the commission’s move in Wyandotte County District Court and said further investigation into the betting allegations is without merit.

House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, said some lawmakers are upset that Gartland continues to work at the track.

“The Racing and Gaming Commission is obviously not doing their job,” Neufeld said.

Stephen Martino, executive director of the Racing and Gaming Commission, defended the commission.

“We have vigorously investigated these allegations and continue to investigate. Because of our investigation, that’s why the attorney general’s office has filed administrative charges against Mr. Gartland, and we are waiting for that litigation process to end,” Martino said.

On the broader issue of whether the state should expand gambling, Sebelius said she wishes the Legislature would.

“I’m hopeful that the Legislature will take seriously the opportunity to have some additional revenue come into this state that is not based on taxes or fee increases,” she said.

Neufeld said the House Federal and State Affairs Committee will have several days of hearings later in the month on gambling proposals.

The hearings, he said, will give lawmakers the information and time necessary to become familiar with the issue, he said.

Gambling in Kansas is restricted to four American Indian casinos in northeast Kansas, the state lottery and pari-mutuel horse and dog betting.

Advocates of expanded gambling have fought unsuccessfully for years to allow for more casinos and slots at the tracks.