LJWorld.com weblogs Statehouse Briefing

State gaming commission lays off 11 workers

Eleven employees of the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission will be laid off because casino projects haven't started, Stephen Martino, executive director of the agency, said Tuesday.“The KRGC made appropriate staffing decisions based on representations that gaming facilities would already be operating by now in Kansas,” Martino said. “Those plans have not materialized, so we have to react accordingly.”In addition to the layoffs, 10 employees will have their work hours reduced.The moves cut payroll expenses at the agency by nearly half, the agency said.State law provides for four state-owned casinos and slot machines at two pari-mutuel racetracks. But three of the four selected casino managers withdrew their applications, citing economic problems. The two race tracks have not reached a gaming contract.“With only the Dodge City casino projected to open this year, there is not enough on-going work to justify our current staffing levels,” Martino said.The layoffs and reduction in hours will become effective Feb. 7.

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  1. LogicMan (anonymous) says…

    And so it begins ...

  2. KU_cynic (anonymous) says…

    The Gaming Commission had at least 11 employees to start with? Well, that's a problem right from the start.