Print edition: 
The three applicants seeking state approval to build and manage Sumner County's casino will present their proposals to the Kansas Lottery Commission this afternoon.
The commission could vote to approve contracts that have been negotiated between the lottery and the applicants.
That wouldn't be the final step in the process. Approved contracts will be sent to a seven-member casino review board, which will select the winning bidder.
Today's meeting will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the Kansas Lottery Headquarters and Claim Center, 108 N. Kansas Ave. in Topeka. It is open to the public, but space will be limited.
The commission will hear presentations from Peninsula Gaming Partners at 2:30 p.m., Global Gaming K.S. at 3:15 p.m., and Harrah's Sumner Investment Co. at 4 p.m.
Peninsula has proposed a $300 million casino for Mulvane's exit off the Kansas Turnpike.
Global Gaming is offering a $255 million plan for Wellington's turnpike exit.
Harrah's has proposed a $260 million casino for one of two potential sites near Mulvane, including the southeast corner of K-53 and Hydraulic near the turnpike exit, and the southeast corner of Belle Plaine Road and K-53.
The lottery commission has until Oct. 20 to approve contracts with the applicants. Ed Van Petten, the lottery's executive director, said all three contracts have been negotiated, and the commission could vote to approve them today, or vote to approve them pending local zoning and planning approvals.
Local endorsements are required before contracts can be approved. Global Gaming's plan has been endorsed by the Sumner County Commission, and Peninsula's proposal has been endorsed by the city of Mulvane.
Harrah's plan hasn't been endorsed yet. Mulvane's city council is scheduled to consider a request by Harrah's to endorse its location at Belle Plaine Road and K-53 tonight.
The lottery commission could wait to vote on a contract until its next meeting, on Oct. 13, a week before the deadline.
Approved contracts will be sent to the Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board, which will have 60 days to consider them and select a winner.
The winning contract will be forwarded to the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission for background checks and final approval.
Anybody interested in listening to today's meeting may access the conference by phone at 877-278-8686. Enter this number when prompted: 789296. Non-participating callers must mute their phones.
