New Kan. casino may draw 2 million-plus visitors

[December 10, 2011]  MULVANE, Kan. (AP) -- The Kansas Star casino is making last-minute preparations as its Dec. 26 opening date nears.

General manager Scott Cooper told reporters Friday during a tour of the site of a temporary casino that the casino is expected to draw more than 2 million people and ring up some $150 million in revenues in its first year.

The casino has already signed up nearly 26,000 players from 39 states for its Players Club promotion.

Meanwhile, construction of the much larger permanent casino is under way. The 170-acre site will eventually include five restaurants, a 300-room hotel and an equestrian center.

Cooper says the Kansas Star is expected to draw 3 million people a year once the entire project is completed.

[Associated Press; By ROXANA HEGEMAN]

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