Kan. regulators postpone decision on racetracks

Eds: APNewsNow. UPDATES with Racing and Gaming Commission postponing decision until July 17; CLARIFIES that three parks' futures are at stake.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Kansas regulators have postponed a decision until July 17 on revoking licenses for closed racetracks in three cities.

The Racing and Gaming Commission met briefly Wednesday to discuss Wichita Greyhound Park; Camptown Greyhound Park in Frontenac; and The Woodlands in Kansas City, Kan., which has separate dog and horse tracks.

The commission moved last year against the licenses of the tracks' because they weren't running races.

The owners persuaded the commission to put off revoking the licenses until July 6, to see whether legislators would revise a law allowing slot machines at racetracks. Legislators didn't.

Track owners say the law doesn't allow them to keep enough revenues to make slots profitable.

Commission Executive Director Stephen Martino says delaying a decision will allow all five commissioners to meet face-to-face.