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  • Phil Ruffin’s Gilley’s Gambling Hall in Kansas Readies Opening

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    Posted on: December 12, 2025, 10:14h. 

    Last updated on: December 12, 2025, 10:36h.

    • Gilley’s in Kansas opens on December 15
    • Phil Ruffin is bringing the honky-tonk brand to Park City
    • Gilley’s replaces the former Wichita Greyhound Park

    The redeveloped Wichita Greyhound Park will open as Gilley’s next week.

    Gilley's Kansas Phil Ruffin
    The Gilley’s Girls are ready to lead line dances and pour drinks at Gilley’s in Kansas. The Park City gambling and entertainment venue from billionaire Phil Ruffin is set to open on Dec. 15, 2025. (Image: Gilley’s)

    Amid flagging interest in greyhound racing, Wichita Greyhound Park held its final dog race on Oct. 6, 2007. Kansas native Phil Ruffin, who owned the track during its closure and unsuccessfully fought for slot machines to save the facility and its employees, announced a redevelopment of the property soon after Kansas lawmakers approved slot-like historical horse racing (HHR) machines in 2022.

    The casino billionaire, who owns Circus Circus and Treasure Island on the Las Vegas Strip, will open Gilley’s Park City on Monday, December 15, at 6 pm.

    “It’s gonna blow your mind,” Ruffin told The Wichita Eagle. “Everybody’s going to be surprised at what we did at the track. It’s something even Vegas hasn’t seen yet. It would compete very effectively on the Strip.”

    Gilley’s combines gambling with family fun. Along with the Gambling Hall’s 1,000 parimutuel-based HHR gaming machines, Gilley’s has an arcade, golf simulators, and a bowling alley.

    For older guests, there’s a dance hall with live music, a sports bar, a parimutuel wagering racebook with simulcast racing, and a cocktail lounge.

    Gilley’s Brand 

    The original Gilley’s Club, cofounded by country music singer Mickey Gilley, opened in 1970 in Pasadena, Texas.

    Known as the “world’s biggest honky-tonk,” the popular club revived Gilley’s career, with the saloon’s mechanical bull portrayed in the 1980 film “Urban Cowboy” starring John Travolta. Gilley’s cover of “Stand by Me” on the movie’s soundtrack reached the top spot on the US country chart in 1980.

    Ruffin befriended Gilley in the early 1990s. Ruffin brought Gilley’s to Las Vegas in 1998 when he opened the Gilley’s Saloon at his New Frontier Hotel Casino. Ruffin opened a Gilley’s at Treasure Island after buying the Strip property in 2009, which remains in operation.

    Gilley died of complications from bone cancer in 2022 at the age of 86. Ruffin, 90, is carrying on his legacy.

    I have been a personal friend of Mickey Gilley and family since the early 1990s, and it led me to bring the Gilley’s experience to Las Vegas. Now, with his wife, Cindy Gilley, leading the company, I’m bringing the iconic brand to Park City, Kansas, guaranteed to be the best entertainment destination in the region,” Ruffin said.

    Gilley’s Park City is located off the Interstate 135 77th Street exit north of Wichita.

    Gaming Competition 

    While Ruffin’s Gilley’s won’t be able to house Vegas-like slot machines or live-dealer table games, a neighboring business can. Just steps south of Gilley’s is the CrossWinds Casino, a small gaming room owned and operated by the Wyandotte Nation.

    Being a federally recognized tribe holding a Class III gaming compact with the state, CrossWinds can offer traditional casino slot machines. While CrossWinds doesn’t currently offer table games, the tribe could bring in felt should it seek to limit Gilley’s poaching of its gaming business.

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    Devin O’Connor

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  • Duke Energy Florida Estimates Times of Restoration for Pinellas County’s Barrier Islands

    Duke Energy Florida Estimates Times of Restoration for Pinellas County’s Barrier Islands

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    Duke Energy Florida issued Pinellas County estimated times of restoration for the barrier islands following Hurricane Helene.

    All customers in these communities who are capable of receiving power will be restored by 11:59pm on Saturday, October 5th, with the majority restored by 11:59pm on Friday, October 4th.

    “We understand that having power is necessary for our customers to be able to rebuild and get back on their feet,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “Our crews continue to work tirelessly to meet our estimated times of restoration in order to help our customers and their families move forward with recovery.”

    The following are the estimated times of restoration from Duke Energy Florida for Pinellas County:

    North Barrier Island

    • Clearwater Beach – Friday, October 4th at 11:59pm
    • Belleair Beach – Friday, October 4th at 11:59pm
    • Belleair Shores – Friday, October 4th at 11:59pm
    • Indian Rocks Beach – Friday, October 4th at 11:59pm
    • Town of Indian Shores – Friday, October 4th at 11:59pm

    Middle Barrier Island  

    • Town of Redington Beach – Friday, October 4th at 11:59pm
    • Town of N. Redington Beach – Friday, October 4th at 11:59pm
    • Town of Redington Shores – Friday, October 4th at 11:59pm
    • Madeira Beach – Saturday, October 5th at 11:59pm

    South Barrier Island

    • Treasure Island – Saturday, October 5th at 11:59pm
    • St. Pete Beach – Friday, October 4th at 11:59pm

    “We will continue to be easily accessible and maintain an open line of communication with our customers even after their power is restored,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “After such extensive destruction, many communities face a lengthy and trying recovery process, but we are here to help and will be with them every step of the way.”

    Duke Energy Florida has mobilized customer care units in severely impacted areas. Company representatives will be onsite to answer questions and provide account assistance. They will be available in the following locations on Friday, October 4th:

    Madeira Beach City Hall

    • 300 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach, FL 33708
    • 8am-5pm

    Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber

    • 6990 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
    • 8am-5pm

    Sheraton Sand Key Resort

    • 1160 Gulf Boulevard, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
    • 8am-5pm

    Daystar Life Center of Citrus County

    • 6751 W. Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River, FL 34429
    • 9am-2pm

    Customers who have damage to the electrical service that serves their homes or businesses should contact Duke Energy Florida. An onsite visit will be conducted to determine if there is a need to de-energize the property for safety. The customer will then need to contact a licensed electrician to make repairs, followed by the local municipality to schedule an inspection. After the inspection is complete, the customer must contact Duke Energy Florida to request restoration of service.

    Customers who need power to rebuild their homes or businesses should contact their local municipality to relay their intent and obtain a 911 address for the property. Then, the customer will need to request that Duke Energy Florida establish electric service on a temporary pole on the property. After an electrician installs a temporary service pole and meter base, the customer must apply to the city or county for an electrical inspection and ensure the municipality sends the inspection to Duke Energy Florida to have electric service connected.

    Customers who need assistance paying their utility bills can learn more about programs that may be available to help online or calling 800-700-8744.

    For individual estimated times of restoration, customers can use Duke Energy’s Outage Map.

    Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

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  • Treasure Island Celebrates 30 Years on Vegas Strip

    Treasure Island Celebrates 30 Years on Vegas Strip

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    Treasure Island just celebrated its 30th year in operation last month. Their grand opening was in October of 1993. In commemoration, the property will have multiple promotions, discounts and offerings, beginning Wednesday, 1 November through Tuesday, 14 November.

    At Treasure Island restaurants, including Gilley’s; Las Vegas Yacht Club, A Seafood Restaurant; and Pizzeria Francesco’s, seafood selections like Yacht Club’s Fish and Chips; and pizza and wings at the pizzeria. Additionally, guests will be able to sign up for a new players card where they can earn 100 points to redeem $30 in free slot play.

    “The Treasure Island property has served travelers worldwide for three decades now, and today provides the best value for its prime location on the Las Vegas Strip,” said Dawn Wolf, Vice President of Brand Marketing, Treasure Island. There have been several upgrades made for the anniversary, and more are on the way.

    Treasure Island has rebranded its seafood restaurant to The Las Vegas Yacht Club, A Seafood Restaurant, which features market fresh catches of the day, pan roasts, steamed clams, oysters in the shell, whole Maine lobster, clam bakes for two as well as seafood salads and pastas and specialty dishes including Salmon Oscar and Sea Scallops.

    A variety of oyster shooters and an extensive list of cocktails and wines are also available. Guests can sip and savor in the dining area or open bar that overlooks the casino floor. Treasure Island also opened the Big Chill Margarita Bar, a brand new venue that serves up refreshing frozen cocktails. Quick and convenient, Big Chill offers an array of flavorful, fruity concoctions with sizes up to a 48-ounce yard.

    The Oleksandra Spa & Salon recently underwent a transformation and now offers new world-class treatments at its intimate, serene and luxurious spa atmosphere. It also rolled out a 20 percent discount for Vegas locals. Treasure Island also announced that 2024 will see the opening of exciting new venues, including The Cove, a barcade, where visitors will have the chance to play a number of video games and other forms of entertainment.

    Treasure Island is currently owned by business owner Phil Ruffin, who made an offer to buy the property from its former owner MGM in 2008. The purchase was finalized in early 2009 and has retained its prominence as a top-tier destination that features headline entertainment, dining options, nightlife, a spa, and a shopping experiences. The resort continues to offer free parking and valet to all guests.

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    This Week in Gambling

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