TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A bill aimed at bringing a state-owned casino to southeast Kansas has won first-round approval in the state Senate.

Senators advanced the proposal from Pittsburg Republican Jake LaTurner on a voice vote Tuesday evening. They planned to take final action late Tuesday.

LaTurner’s 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.