In response to public comments and concerns, Golden Circle does not plan to reintroduce live racing at the property. Three groups initially submitted plans, but only Ruffin's made it to the finish line. The new project comes as a result of the 2022 Kansas law legalizing sports betting, which also allowed the state gaming commission to award one license to operate 1,000 historical horse racing machines in Sedgwick County. Ruffin, a business partner of former President Donald Trump, owns the Treasure Island and Circus Circus hotels and casinos in Las Vegas. The Golden Circle proposal received letters of support from various notable figures, including Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Pete Meitzner, and former Sedgwick County Sheriff Mike Hill. We're going to have restaurants and pizza by the slice and smoothies and all kinds of great food from our executive chef in Las Vegas, who's going to come down and train our staff.' highlighted the potential of the iconic building, stating: ' There's a lot of space in there. And after the casino opens, Ruffin plans to build a 110-bed hotel. The opening of Golden Circle would take place in approximately 14 months. The park, which has been closed since 2007, would undergo a complete renovation as part of Ruffin's $128 million plan to transform it into a three-floor casino named Golden Circle.

'We've been working to try to renovate and reopen Wichita Greyhound Park.'

'We are ecstatic with the news,' expressed Phil Ruffin Jr., who will serve as the general manager of Golden Circle, as per The Wichita Eagle. The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission cleared the way on Thursday for Ruffin's Golden Circle Casino to run 1,000 historical horse racing (HHR) machines at the location, granting them the state's only license for such operation. Casino mogul Phil Ruffin has secured a major victory in his nearly two-decade-long battle to bring a casino to the Wichita Greyhound Park.

Kansas star casino floor plan