Companies can bid on casino for southeast Kansas

Topeka, Kansas (AP) -- Southeast Kansas once again is an open territory for a state-owned casino.

The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission unanimously voted Tuesday to reject Penn National Gaming Inc.'s contract to manage a casino in Cherokee County. The vote was a formality because Penn two weeks ago walked away from the contract, saying it couldn't compete with a nearby tribal casino in Oklahoma.

The commission vote clears the way for the Kansas Lottery to start the process for taking applications for a casino manager in Cherokee or Crawford County.

A law enacted last year allows one casino in each of four places in the state.

Contracts have been chosen for Sumner County and Wyandotte County, subject to final approval by the Racing and Gaming Commission. The selection for Ford County is expected to be made Friday.