TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- The executive director of the Kansas Lottery will step down next month for health reasons.

Dennis Wilson's resignation was accepted Wednesday by Gov. Sam Brownback, who appointed him to the job. Wilson became the Lottery's executive director in July 2011 and will resign Dec. 3.

Wilson is a Republican from Johnson County. He served in the Kansas House from 1995-1999 and in the state Senate from 2001-2005.

In his letter to Brownback, Wilson said he needs to concentrate on recovering from what he calls a serious knee injury.

Brownback will name an acting Lottery director in the coming weeks. He praised Wilson for a 5 percent increase in lottery ticket sales during his tenure and for overseeing the openings of two state-owned casinos in Sumner and Wyandotte counties.