The first casino in Kansas where the state itself owns the games did not open in Kansas City or Wichita. It opened in Dodge City, the old cattle town in the south-west, in December 2009. Boot Hill Casino & Resort still describes itself as home to the first state-owned and operated casino gaming in Kansas, and it opened two years before any of the other three: the Kansas City and Wichita-area casinos were still searching for managers when Boot Hill's doors opened.
The basics
| Address | 4000 West Comanche Avenue, Dodge City, Kansas 67801 |
| Phone | (877) 906-0777 |
| Opened | December 2009 |
| Hours | Open 24 hours, every day of the year |
| Slots | More than 500, plus a high-limit area |
| Live tables | 16 |
| Sportsbook | DraftKings, kiosks always open |
| Age | 21; no one under 21 is allowed on the property |
| Manager | Butler National (BHCMC); games owned by the Kansas Lottery |
How Dodge City got there first
Under the 2007 Kansas Expanded Lottery Act, the southwest gaming zone drew two bids for a casino in Ford County: Dodge City Gaming and Boot Hill. The Lottery's review board chose Boot Hill on 26 September 2008, and the Racing and Gaming Commission approved its background on 5 December 2008. The other zones stalled. Their chosen managers in the northeast, south-central and southeast zones all withdrew during the 2008 downturn, so Boot Hill opened alone in December 2009. Kansas Star followed in December 2011, Hollywood Casino in February 2012 and Kansas Crossing not until 2017.
The casino is managed by BHCMC, a Butler National business, which runs it on behalf of the state. Every game on the floor belongs to the Kansas Lottery.
The 21 rule here is stricter than usual
Many casinos let under-21s into the restaurants and keep them off the floor. Boot Hill does not. Its own wording is that no one under the age of 21 is permitted on property, and Firesides Grill lists casino entry, at 21 and over, as a condition of dining. Families travelling through Dodge City should plan meals elsewhere.
The floor
Boot Hill runs more than 500 slot machines in a range of denominations, with a high-denomination area for bigger players. The live pit has 16 tables, and the casino's line is "real craps, real roulette, no ante": blackjack, craps, roulette, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Mississippi Stud, Three Card Poker, I Luv Suits Poker and a TriLux blackjack side bet. Tables open at 1pm on weekdays and 11am on weekends, so morning visitors get slots only.
The DraftKings Sportsbook keeps its kiosks and cashier open around the clock. The sportsbook bar keeps shorter hours and is closed on some weekdays, so check before a game.
Firesides Grill
The single restaurant is Firesides Grill, open every day from 11am to 10pm, serving Certified Angus Beef steaks, handcrafted cocktails and what the casino calls Kansas-inspired comfort food. The weekly specials are the draw for locals: a $5 burger at Monday lunch, an Italian night on Tuesdays, a barbecue platter on Wednesdays, surf and turf on Thursdays and prime rib on Fridays. Groups of eight or more should call for a reservation.
Dodge City casino hotel options
Boot Hill has no hotel tower of its own. It partners with hotels in town, chiefly a Hampton Inn with direct access to the casino complex, and it runs bus trips from around the region, with free play and a free meal for bus passengers. Players Club members at the Legends level can also request the casino's courtesy car with 24 hours' notice.
The arena next door and the old town
United Wireless Arena sits right beside the casino and hosts the bigger concerts; the autumn 2026 calendar lists Foghat and Head East on 10 October and Gary Allan on 13 November. The Boot Hill Museum and historic downtown Dodge City are nearby, and the casino lists them among the reasons to stay over.
The rest of Kansas
Boot Hill is the only casino in the western half of the state. For every other floor, from the tribal casinos in the north-east to Kansas Star near Wichita, see our casinos in Kansas guide.
Playing from home instead
Western Kansas is big and Dodge City is the only casino in it. Sweepstakes casinos offer slot and table-style games on a free-coin promotional model without the drive; our Kansas sweepstakes casino rankings compare the platforms that accept players in the state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boot Hill Casino open 24 hours?
Yes, the casino is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Table games open at 1pm on weekdays and 11am at weekends.
How old do you have to be at Boot Hill Casino?
- No one under 21 is permitted on the property, including the restaurant.
Does Boot Hill Casino have a hotel?
Not its own. It partners with hotels in Dodge City, including a Hampton Inn with direct access to the casino complex.
When did Boot Hill Casino open?
In December 2009, as the first state-owned casino in Kansas.
