HARRISBURG -- For the past couple years, House Democratic Whip Bill DeWeese has promoted a measure to let Pennsylvania slots casinos add table games such as blackjack, poker and roulette.

So far he hasn't had much luck, but the state's severe budget crunch -- a projected deficit of $3.2 billion this year -- has generated renewed interest in the possibility of expanded gaming.

Last week, Mr. DeWeese introduced new legislation for table games -- cleverly called House Bill 21, after the other name for blackjack. Mr. DeWeese, D-Greene, projects that if all 14 state-authorized casinos were up and running with table games, a tax on the gambling revenue could produce at least $200 million a year in new revenue for the state.

He thinks table games would produce $300 million for the state in the first year, because casinos would have to pay a one-time fee of $10 million to get the table games license. That $300 million is only about 10 percent of the current deficit, but every bit helps.

Mr. DeWeese's bill calls for an 18 percent tax on gross revenues from table games, with the money going into the state's Property Tax Relief Fund. That account is now funded by a 34 percent tax on slots revenues.

His bill also would give a 2 percent share for the municipalities and counties where the casinos are located. They are now getting 4 percent of the slots revenue. He also would give 1 percent of the table games revenue for agriculture and county fairs.

But he said he would consider "a three-year freeze" to that revenue distribution plan in an attempt to ease "the crucial dynamic that the state budget confronts."

Brett Marcy, spokesman for House Democratic leader Todd Eachus, of Luzerne, said that because of the severity of the state's budget problems, "We expect any revenue-generating proposals could be discussed as part of the 2009-10 budget negotiations."

He also said the House Democratic leader supports legalizing table games.

Besides added revenue for the state, Mr. DeWeese thinks table games would add 16,000 jobs once all 14 casinos are operating. But that will take at least three more years since the two casinos planned for Philadelphia are way behind schedule, and a casino planned for Lawrence County is still seeking financing.

"The astounding recent popularity of poker by ESPN, celebrity tournaments and local fundraisers are making table games a much more popular form of gaming," he said. "Pennsylvania also must stay competitive with our neighboring states because if we don't, the gaming dollars will go elsewhere."

Mr. DeWeese's district borders West Virginia, where casinos now have table games.

Mr. DeWeese is a political ally of Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell, who hasn't been a fan of table games. He has consistently said the state should get all of its slots casinos up and running before making a major addition like table games.

But last week, Mr. Rendell shifted his position, in Mr. DeWeese's favor. "I would consider signing a table games bill if the Legislature sends it to me," the governor said.

Legalizing table games isn't strictly a partisan political issue, though more Democrats generally favor the idea than Republicans.

House GOP leader Sam Smith, of Punxsutawney, said he thought 20 to 25 House Republicans would vote for table games if House Bill 21 comes up for a vote. That's about the same number of GOP legislators who voted for the slots bill in 2004.

The bill would need at least 102 votes in the House, so about 80 of the 104 Democrats would have to vote for it to send it to the Senate.

Some legislators, such as Rep. Paul Clymer, R-Bucks, remain steadfastly opposed to expanding gambling, fearing it will cause increased social and family problems for people who can't afford to lose money.

Whether the Republican-controlled Senate would approve the bill is another question. Sen. Robert Tomlinson, R-Bucks, likes the idea of table games. He has the Philadelphia Park racetrack/casino in Bensalem in his district.

He and Senate Democratic leader Bob Mellow, of Lackawanna, are working on a table games authorization bill of their own.

Mr. DeWeese said he met recently with Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson, and "I was given some encouragement" about table games.

Mr. Scarnati said Friday that the table games issue "has been quietly percolating around the Capitol for some time." He said he has talked to casino officials who made the case for the additional revenue and jobs.

"I am opposed to Gov. Rendell's plans for billions in new taxes," such as a higher income tax and new taxes on tobacco and natural gas, he said.

"As we look at other avenues for revenue, I haven't dismissed the idea for table games. It's an issue that needs to be publicly vetted."