OKLAHOMA CITY, May 12 (UPI) -- The Oklahoma House Thursday passed a measure that would ask the state's voters to decide whether casino games should go into the state's race tracks.
The House passed the bill on a vote of 58-42 and sent it to Gov. Brad Henry, the Oklahoman reported. Henry is expected to sign the bill but it may face a legal test.
Critics may seek the attorney general's opinion.
"I'm not sure that it's legal at all," said Rep. Forrest Claunch, R-Midwest City, who has led the opposition to the proposed gaming expansion.
Legislative leaders announced last week they would repeal a bill passed in March to carry out the expansion in order to submit it to a Nov. 2 vote. Church groups and other opponents have been gathering petitions to force a vote.
The bill would permit horse-racing tracks to operate gaming machines like those used in tribal casinos. It also contains a measure designed to clarify the authority of the tribes to operate certain games.
