Bob Sheldon, left, general manager of the Hollywood Casino at the Kansas Speedway, today reported to the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission that the casino opening of Feb. 3 is on schedule. The KRGC met at the Kansas Speedway media room and is on a tour and inspection of the new casino  today in order to give it conditional certification. (Staff photo)

   Construction and training at the new Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway is on schedule for a Feb. 3 opening, General Manager Bob Sheldon reported today.

   He reported that 435 people were already working, with orientation and training going on currently. About 553 persons have been hired and licensing approved. Next week, another 350 employees will be added. There are also 121 potential employees currently undergoing background investigations, he reported.

   Sheldon gave his report at the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission meeting held today, Jan. 13, at the Kansas Speedway’s media room.

   The KRGC is touring the new casino today in a closed session and then plans to vote on a conditional certification for a test gambling session for charity later this month. That is to be an invitation-only event.

   The new $400 million casino is managed by Kansas Entertainment, a joint venture of Penn National Gaming and International Speedway Corp. The state owns the casino games there.

   The three state casinos together are expected to generate $365.7 million in gaming revenue during fiscal year 2013, according to the governor’s budget released Jan. 12. About $80.4 million is expected to go to the state’s Expanded Lottery Act Revenues Fund. The governor is proposing to use the state’s share to pay off state debts, including infrastructure improvements such as state parking garage bonds in Topeka, according to the budget. Cities and counties where the casinos are located are to receive 3 percent of the revenues at the location.

   In the audience of about 30 people attending this morning were Bonner Springs Mayor Clausie Smith, Edwardsville Mayor John “Tiny” McTaggart, Unified Government Deputy Administrator Doug Bach, UG chief financial officer Lew Levin, and Edwardsville Administrator Michael Webb.

   McTaggart said he was hoping the opening of the casino would enhance development in the Edwardsville area.

   During the meeting, Sheldon also reported that most of the interior lighting at the new Hollywood Casino is installed, most of the audio-visual elements are installed, all the television sets in the sports bar are installed and the main entry storefront doors have been installed.

   The carpeting is now completed and much of the restaurant furnishings have been put in place, he said. Later this week, some Hollywood memorabilia will be installed, he added.

   “It kind of defines who we are as our brand of Hollywood,” he said.

   The KRGC also introduced a contingent of state security officers who will be stationed at the Hollywood Casino when it opens.

   During discussion, commission members said they were interested in learning how the state Social and Rehabilitation Services Department will spend about $6 million in expected problem gambling revenues from the casinos.

   In other reports at the KRGC meeting, the Boot Hill Casino at Dodge City reported a loss of anticipated revenue from five days of blizzard-like weather that resulted in the closing of highways. Despite this, the casino revenues were still up 13 percent over the previous year.

   The Kansas Star Casino at Mulvane, Kan., reported "a perfect storm of revenues" and being "crazy busy" with a successful December opening. It plans around-the-clock operations soon.