Kansas Gambling revenue? Don't bet on it.

Legislators will return tomorrow to try and fix their spending problem from the past four plus years and they'll be looking partially to gambling revenue to do it. That is, of course, if there is any gambling revenue.

It looks as though Missouri is also having a hard time getting their fair share of gambling dollars. Voters approved a proposition in November that repealed the state's loss limit within a two hour period and hiked the state's share of revenues. According to the Kansas City Star, the measure was expected to bring in $100 to $130 million in new cash to the state.

Too bad that's not how it work out. Turns out Missouri is only going to see $30 million this year. The Missouri proposal was passed because the money was supposed to go to schools. It's all for the kids, don't you know?

So how exactly do legislators here in Kansas expect to close their budget problem with gambling revenue when the only gambling zone that is actually building a casino is in Dodge City? I assume the $50 million figure being thrown around is from privilege fees companies would have to pay upfront to be able to build and manage the casino. The southeast gambling zone has gone through two lettings without getting a commitment to build from anyone. Are legislators betting on funny money to close the gap?

That's what it looks like to me.