Marvel Gaming wants to build its casino and resort near the Wellington turnpike exit, as does competitor, Penn National Gaming. The third firm, Harrah's Entertainment, wants to build a casino near Mulvane.

Marvel is run by "down-to-earth" people who would hire more local people (1,700) to run the casino than the other two companies. The Trailhead Casino-Resort planned by Marvel would provide better gaming odds for the customer than the competitors, he said.

In addition, the Trailhead resort would have indoor and outdoor swimming pools and "there's a good possibility we'll have an arena to offer major concerts."

"We're not catering to the big gamblers but want everybody to have a good experience," Buzzi added.

Buzzi acknowledged that a new casino in Wellington would hurt the business of the Native American casinos in the Chilocco and Newkirk areas. But Marvel would "encourage businesses in Cowley County to come over and do business."

Buzzi already has rented a lodge about a mile south of Wellington and he likes the slower-paced atmosphere in Kansas, he said.

"I like nature and hiking," he said. "There's so many neat places in this area."

His daughter, Dee Dee, works in the office with him, he said. His son, Randy, lives in Spokane, Wash., and is in the insurance business.

Movie star and entertainer Debbie Reynolds is who first brought him to Las Vegas 15 years ago, Buzzi said.

Before the move, Buzzi had lived in Lawrence and worked in real estate and insurance, he said.

"Some Kansas City hotel people were going out there to manage some property operated by Reynold's son," he said. "I had some experience in credit card and ATM processing. I also had connections with people who could finance it."

Buzzi said the company he represented offered $15 million to buy out the hotel-casino, which was failing, but Reynold's son refused the offer. Later, the property was sold at auction for $11 million.

Debbie Reynolds appeared slumped and unenergetic at company meetings, he said. But she changed dramatically when she was on stage.

"It was like someone plugged her into a light socket," Buzzi said. "She looked 20 years younger. She's a very talented woman."

Buzzi said former Bulldogs coach Carl Jackson "lived and breathed football" and used to sneak in some work on football plays with Buzzi during track season. Buzzi also had great respect for assistant coaches Benny Cleveland and Dean Gilstrap.

At KU, Buzzi and Sayers did punt returns, he said. The two have remained friends over the years.

"He's in the computer business in Chicago," Buzzi said of Sayers. "We'll probably have a reunion in the fall."

The state lottery board is expected to decide on a casino plan by the end of August.