Racing and Gaming Commission seeks operational funding for Park City HHR facility; lawmakers probe enforcement and statutory limits

The committee reviewed the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission's fiscal requests and a supplemental item tied to the historical horse-racing (HHR) facility that opened in Park City.

Molly Pratt summarized the KRGC role and the FY26 revised estimate, noting a $100,000 supplemental request from the governor for items related to the HHR facility. Pratt said the KRGC is purchasing fingerprinting equipment and law-enforcement radios (Radios estimated at about $25,000) and expanding its licensing database to support oversight in Park City. The special budget committee had not recommended the supplemental, but the governor's recommendation is listed on the committee's yellow sheet.

Brandy White, director of finance and administration for the KRGC, confirmed the commission has spent roughly $86,000 in capital outlay related to facility setup and said radios meeting law-enforcement specifications remain necessary to communicate with local jurisdictions. She told the committee the commission uses KBI for fingerprint processing and that a problematic fax line has required temporary workarounds.

Members pressed on funding sources and statutory limits. KRGC staff explained that for pari-mutuel (paramutual) activities the statute provides a 3% share of total amount wagered to the state racing fund; KRGC expenditures are paid first and remaining funds are dispersed per statute (70% to the County Fair Benefit Fund and 30% to the Kansas Horse Breeding Fund). Those shares are statutory and would require a change in law to alter. On enforcement, White said the $750,000 White Collar Crime Fund is available to both KRGC and the attorney general through grant applications; KRGC maintains designated officers for illegal gambling enforcement and often pursues confiscation and forfeiture rather than criminal prosecution depending on local priorities.

What comes next: KRGC staff said revenue levels will be monitored and February transfers to the horse-breeding and county-fair funds are likely; the committee asked members to consider recommendations for the budget to forward to Ways and Means.