Boyd Gaming submits application for a new HHR in Kansas

The Boyd Gaming Corporation announced on Tuesday that it has submitted an application to Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC) to develop and operate a new history horse-racing (HHR) gaming facility in Sedgwick County.

It will be recalled that in April 2022, the Kansas Legislature approved a Senate Bill 84 legalizing sports wagering in Kansas. The law went into effect on the first of July 1, 2022 and makes provisions for “wagering to be conducted by an organization licensed at a facility located in Sedgwick County and only through historical horse race machines approved by the KRGC.” Results of that legislation are now being seen in the application such as the one submitted by Boyd Gaming for Diamond Jo Park City.

The new establishment is planned to feature a range of amenities including a casino floor with as many as 1000 HHR units, a sports bar and grill branded under FanDuel, a steakhouse, modern bar and lounge, a convention space for meetings, and the initial Amazon Go store in Kansas state.

Nevertheless, the proposal must clear a public hearing scheduled for April or May, prior to initiating construction and development. Funded entirely through private means, Diamond Jo is expected to contribute to the community by generating 600 job opportunities during its construction phase and providing an annual income of roughly $30 million in wages, salaries, and benefits

According to Boyd Gaming, the new facility in Park City is anticipated to generate $90 million annually in economic activity and is poised to become a crucial catalyst for the development of new visitation and economic opportunities in the area.

Furthermore, Boyd Gaming has committed to contributing $1 million each year to local non-profit organizations that offer healthcare and educational services to veterans in the area, as part of its proposal for Diamond Jo.

In addition, Diamond Jo is set to offer $250,000 annually in fresh funding for resources dedicated to treating problem gambling in the south-central Kansas region. Boyd Gaming has teamed up with the United Way of the Plains to manage the non-profit contributions of Diamond Jo.

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