KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Hollywood Casino officials are opting to pay the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas more than $1 million rather than start construction on a 248-room hotel. Unified Government spokesman Mike Taylor says Penn National Gaming, which owns the casino at the Legends complex west of Kansas City, indicated that proposals before the Kansas Legislature played a role in its decision. Taylor says one of the measures would change the way casinos are taxed, while another is designed to help the Woodlands re-open by adding as many as 2,800 slot machines. Ralph Ostmeyer, chairman of the Senate State and Federal Affairs Committee, says Penn National's explanation was just an excuse, since it doesn't appear any changes to the state's current gambling makeup will happen anytime soon.
