TOPEKA, Kan. — March 9, 2011 - The Kansas House has refused to debate a proposal for luring a state-owned casino to the state's southeast corner and bringing slot machines to dog- and horse-racing tracks.

The proposal Tuesday from Rep. Doug Gatewood, a Columbus Democrat, would amend a Kansas law allowing a casino in southeast Kansas and slots at three now-closed tracks, including one in southeast Kansas.

Some legislators believe the law is so strict that it doesn't make either a southeast Kansas casino or slots at the tracks profitable. His plan would have decreased the investment required for a casino and the state's revenues from the slots.

He offered his plan as an amendment to a bill dealing with sexually oriented businesses. On a 84-34 vote, the House concluded Gatewood's amendment was out of order.