TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The state will begin taking bids for a fourth state-owned casino next month.

The Kansas Lottery will begin receiving applications July 14 for a casino in the southeast region, which includes Crawford and Cherokee counties.

The Wichita Eagle reports the deadline for applications to the Kansas Lottery is 1 p.m. Dec. 19. State political leaders will choose a review board, which will choose the winning application.

The state owns casinos in Dodge City, Mulvane and Kansas City, Kansas. But bidders lost interest in the southeast region, in part because of a required $225 million initial investment and $25 million privilege fee.

During the last session, the Legislature reduced those investments to $50 million and $5.5 million in the southeast. Those provisions take effect July 1.