Gaming Expansion Fails First Votes In PA House

by Tony Romeo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Supporters of expanded gaming in Pennsylvania suffered a setback in the state House Tuesday.

House Republican leaders have pointed to increased gaming revenues as an alternative to higher taxes. But the State House on Tuesday defeated two amendments that would legalize Internet gaming and would authorize slot machines at airports.

Steve Miskin, spokesman for House majority Republicans, says one of the two measures would have also authorized video gaming terminals.

"Video gaming terminals that could be used in taverns, and then you have, obviously, the casinos. And you just had the two competing interests. This was trying to marry, in a sense, both into one piece of legislation," said Miskin.

By that, Miskin says, lawmakers are working to find the "middle ground." He says there was confusion about the amendments among House members, who wanted more time to review them.

While House members voted down the amendments they also voted to allow them to be considered again at a later time.