Decision on Southeast Kansas casino could come Tuesday

Some of them have taken research trips to Las Vegas to visit casinos. They've heard from residents and developers, and they've read wonky consultants' reports predicting which of the three proposals might do best financially. They've also heard Quapaw Chairman John Berrey say that whichever proposal is selected will compete with Downstream Casino Resort, a $500 million casino run by the Indian tribe just over the border in Oklahoma, and heard Berrey say: "I have $20 million to fight in court anyone who does business in my backyard."

On Tuesday, it's time to vote.

"We have three good quality proposals," said Don Alexander, a Parsons resident and member of the Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board. "It's just a matter of trying to sort through them."
J

ack Bower, chairman of the review board, predicted on Friday that the board will choose one of the three proposals.
"It looks like there's a market out there," Bower said.

Contenders are:

• Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel, a $64.7 million project proposed at the northwest corner of U.S. Highways 69 and 400 in Pittsburg in Crawford County. It would have 625 slot machines and 16 tables, and would attract an estimated 500,000 visitors a year, according to developers.
• Castle Rock Casino Resort, a $140 million casino on U.S. 400 near Interstate 44 in Cherokee County. It would be less than a mile away from Downstream. It would have 1,400 slot machines, 35 table games and a 16-­table poker room. The casino is expected to draw 1 million or more visits a year, developers project.