TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The Kansas Lottery has rejected an application from a group seeking to build and manage a state-owned casino in the southeastern part of Kansas.

Lottery officials sent a letter Tuesday to Ozark Trail Gaming LLC saying the group lacks the required funds and experience in casino management.

Ozark Trail Gaming proposed to build a casino in Cherokee County, near the Oklahoma border. The state is requiring a minimum investment of $225 million.

Applications are being accepted until Jan. 19 for the casino contract in the southeastern zone, which also includes Crawford County.

Kansas' first state-owned casino is expected to open in December in Dodge City. Applications for casino contracts for Sumner and Wyandotte counties are still being reviewed.

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