Kansas horse racing advocates scored a pair of significant victories this week in their efforts to get racing back up and running in the state on even footing with the commercial casinos in the state.

The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee sent the measure on to the full house earlier in the week via voice vote.  Yesterday, in a 24-12 vote, the full Senate also passed the bill where it now awaits action by the state House of Representatives.

According to Kansans for Equine Opportunity, the measure:

“will positively impact horse racing facilities that operate slot machines by reducing the state tax takeout from 40% to 22%. A reduction to this tax will make it feasible for a horse racing facility to operate successfully and thus generate revenue again for the state.  Since the legislature inflicted a 40% tax on horse racing businesses the industry in Kansas has basically dried up because of operators’ inability to profit under an oppressive tax structure.

By implementing the 22% tax rate, horse racing facilities will operate under the same taxing guidelines state-owned destination gaming facilities have followed since gambling was legalized in 2007.”

The state’s track have been closed since the advent of commercial casinos in Kansas due to the high tax structure.  While far from complete, the first hurdles of have been cleared for dog and horse racing to return to Kansas.