A bill aimed at bringing a state-owned casino to southeast Kansas has cleared the state Legislature and is going to Governor Sam Brownback.
The House approved the proposal Wednesday on an 84-36 vote. The Senate approved it last week.
The bill lowers the investment required for a southeast Kansas casino from $225 million to $50 million. The state also would drop the fee it charges to a prospective developer to $5.5 million from $25 million.
A casino in southeast Kansas was authorized by a 2007 law, but area officials say the required investment and the fee are too high to attract interest from developers.
The Kansas Lottery owns the rights to the gambling but would have a private developer build and operate the casino.
