Topeka ? The owner of two closed dog tracks has asked state regulators to delay revoking their licenses while he tries to persuade legislators to give the tracks more slot machine revenue to help make them profitable.

The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission revoked the licenses of two tracks owned by Phil Ruffin in December because they weren’t operating. It also revoked the license of a third track owned by the Grace family for the same reason.

But the commission delayed the revocation until early July to give the owners time to lobby legislators to change the law so the tracks could get 58 percent of the slots’ income rather than the current 40 percent.

Track owners say they need the additional money to help offset their operating costs, which include purchasing the slots although the Kansas Lottery will own the gambling operation. Without the added revenue, they say they wouldn’t break even.

Ruffin, who splits his time between Wichita and Las Vegas, said his Wichita Greyhound Park and Camptown Greyhound Park in Frontenac will remain closed, although he has no plans to sell them.

“The track doesn’t have a lot of value without the slots. If we reopened without slots, we would lose $5 million a year,” he said. “If they pass a bill that makes sense, we would reopen both tracks full bore and get the thing going again.”