The Woodlands

The Woodlands first opened its doors in 1989 but soon faced declining business as Missouri riverboats drew customers away. The venue was plagued by doping issues and other controversies, including allegations of taking illegal out-of-state wagers, leading to its bankruptcy and closure in 1996. It reopened two years later, although controversy persisted with allegations that staff had embezzled $200,000.

The track made two unsuccessful attempts to secure permission for slot machines before closing again in 2008.

In a significant development, the Kansas Senate passed a bill permitting slots in May 2015. Subsequently, two months later, Phil Ruffin, a former Las Vegas magnate, who already owns two other inactive tracks in the state, acquired the Woodlands.

However, Ruffin’s proposal to install up to 2,800 slot machines at the track has met opposition from Penn National Gaming and Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.