Associated Press - November 9, 2009 10:24 PM ET

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - 4 of the five groups expected to seek an Iowa casino license have now handed over their proposals to state regulators.

While projects from Lyon, Tama, Webster and Wapello counties met Monday's application deadline, a group from Franklin County that had expressed interest in building a casino failed to turn in their application to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

The new applications are just the beginning of a months-long process before the commission makes a decision on possible new licenses.

Commission Administrator Jack Ketterer said the next milestone is January 7, the deadline for commitments for equity and financing for the projects.

Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazetteonline.com/

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