Topeka Capital-Journal, The: Lodges: Video slots would add needed revenue

By Chris Moon

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Fraternal organizations are keeping a watchful eye on Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' proposal to vastly expand gambling in Kansas.

Putting video slot machines in clubs owned by the American Legion or the local Moose Lodge is but a small part of Sebelius' proposal, expected to net the state about $7 million of a $100 million a year package.

But local lodges say it would be a boon to them and the local economy.

"We need the money. Things are getting tough," said Darrell Bencken, adjutant quartermaster for the Kansas Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Under Sebelius' proposal, which must be approved by the Legislature, up to five video lottery machines --- where you can play video slots, poker and blackjack --- could be placed at each fraternal lodge with a Class A club license. The state would take a 45 percent cut of the revenues, and the lodge would get most of what is left.

There are 243 fraternal clubs in Kansas.

For decades, many of those organizations have made a living off bingo revenues. But they say those dollars have slumped since the advent of tribal casinos.

They say it has cut into their abilities to provide services like the VFW's hospital equipment loan program or the Kansas American Legion's scholarship program.

"The whole theory on nonprofit organizations is that nonprofits should give back to the community," said Ralph Snyder, assistant adjutant at the state headquarters of the American Legion.

Oran Wood, quartermaster at VFW Post 2187 in North Topeka, said his 143-member club is too small for revenue-generating bingo or dances. It makes regular donations to the Kansas Neurological Institute and occasionally has fund-raisers for cancer victims.

"We'll be watching this intensely, that's for sure," Wood said.

Neither VFW nor American Legion officials say they worry about video slots leading to problem gambling among their members.

But House Speaker Doug Mays, R-Topeka, is skeptical.

"There were an awful lot of people here that were maybe willing to vote for gaming when it didn't look like it was going to come home," he said. "But you get to some of the rural areas and people find out that you're going to have slot machines at the Eagles Lodge in downtown Ness City, then they may have to think twice about voting for it."

And, Mays asked, "What's to stop someone from chartering the Order of the Chipmunks --- or Prairie Dogs?"