Published on: December 12, 2025, at 10:14 AM.
Updated on: December 12, 2025, at 10:14 AM.
- Gilley’s in Kansas to launch on December 15
- Phil Ruffin introduces the honky-tonk venue to Park City
- Gilley’s takes over the former Wichita Greyhound Park location
The newly transformed Wichita Greyhound Park will debut as Gilley’s next week.
With dwindling interest in greyhound racing, Wichita Greyhound Park held its last dog race on October 6, 2007. Phil Ruffin, a Kansas native and owner during its closure, sought to revitalize the property after Kansas enacted laws allowing slot-like historical horse racing (HHR) machines in 2022.
The casino magnate, who owns Circus Circus and Treasure Island in Las Vegas, is set to launch Gilley’s Park City on Monday, December 15, starting at 6 PM.
“It’s going to astonish you,” Ruffin shared with The Wichita Eagle. “Everyone will be taken aback by what we’ve accomplished at the track. It’s something Vegas has yet to see. It’ll stand out effectively on the Strip.”
Gilley’s combines gaming with family-friendly entertainment. In addition to the Gambling Hall’s 1,000 parimutuel-based HHR gaming machines, Gilley’s features an arcade, golf simulators, and a bowling alley.
For older patrons, there’s a dance hall with live music performances, a sports bar, a parimutuel wagering racebook with simulcast racing, and a sophisticated cocktail lounge.
About Gilley’s Brand
The original Gilley’s Club was co-founded by country music legend Mickey Gilley, opening its doors in Pasadena, Texas, in 1970.
Dubbed the “world’s largest honky-tonk,” this iconic venue revived Gilley’s career, with its mechanical bull gaining fame through the 1980 movie “Urban Cowboy,” starring John Travolta. Gilley’s rendition of “Stand by Me” from the film’s soundtrack topped the US country charts in 1980.
Ruffin became friends with Gilley in the early 1990s and opened Gilley’s in Las Vegas in 1998 at the New Frontier Hotel Casino. After acquiring Treasure Island in 2009, he established another Gilley’s location, which is still operational.
Mickey Gilley passed away in 2022 at age 86 due to complications from bone cancer. Ruffin, now 90, is dedicated to preserving his legacy.
“I have been a close friend of Mickey Gilley and his family since the early 90s, which inspired me to bring the Gilley’s experience to Las Vegas. Now, with Cindy Gilley, his wife, at the helm, I’m excited to introduce the legendary brand to Park City, Kansas, promising to be the premier entertainment destination in the area,” Ruffin stated.
Gilley’s Park City can be found just off the Interstate 135, at the 77th Street exit, north of Wichita.
Gaming Landscape
While Ruffin’s Gilley’s won’t feature Las Vegas-style slots or live dealer table games, a nearby establishment does. Just a short walk south of Gilley’s, CrossWinds Casino, operated by the Wyandotte Nation, offers a small gaming room.
As a federally recognized tribe with a Class III gaming agreement with the state, CrossWinds has the ability to provide traditional casino slots. Although CrossWinds currently lacks table games, the tribe could introduce them in the future if they wish to maintain their market share against Gilley’s gaming offerings.