Sac and Fox Nation seeks Kansas approval for gaming compact amendment permitting sports wagering

The Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations convened on March 20, 2025, to discuss proposed amendments to the gaming compact between the state of Kansas and the Sac and Fox Nation. The meeting focused on the committee's role in recommending changes to the compact, which has not been amended since its establishment in 1995.

Committee members sought clarification on the process for approving the gaming compact amendments. It was confirmed that if the committee does not recommend changes, a resolution will be introduced in both chambers of the Legislature. The resolution must be adopted for the amendments to proceed to the U.S. Department of the Interior for final approval. If not acted upon in the current session, the amendments would need to be reintroduced in the next legislative session.

A key point of discussion was the amendment's provision to allow sports wagering at the Sac and Fox Casino, which is located near Powhatan. Christopher Halbert, the tribal attorney for the Sac and Fox Nation, emphasized that this amendment is the first significant change to the compact in nearly 30 years. He noted that the amendment aligns with similar agreements made with other tribes in recent years and is seen as beneficial for both the tribe and the state.

Committee members expressed the need for clearer documentation regarding the specific language changes in the compact. One member highlighted the absence of a redlined version of the compact, which would help clarify the modifications being proposed. Halbert assured the committee that the necessary documents were available for review.

The meeting concluded with a positive outlook on the potential for the compact amendments to enhance the gaming offerings at the Sac and Fox Casino, fostering a stronger government-to-government relationship between the tribe and the state. The committee aims to finalize its recommendations by the end of the current legislative session.