HARRISBURG -- House Democrats were shocked today when a bill to legalize video poker machines in 14,000 Pennsylvania bars, clubs and taverns was defeated in committee on a tie vote.

Democrats control the House Gaming Oversight Committee by a 15-11 margin, but two Philadelphia Democrats, Reps. Michael O'Brien and Curtis Thomas, voted with the Republicans to kill House Bill 1317 on a 13-13 vote.

The video poker bill was first unveiled in February by Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell, who says putting up to five video poker machines and other "video lottery terminal" devices in bars and clubs would generate up to $550 million a year for the state to use in helping students in state-owned colleges and community colleges.

Mr. Rendell has drawn criticism for not allowing students in state-related colleges, such as Pitt, Penn State and Temple, to be eligible for the tuition relief. Mr. Thomas and many others said state-related school students should be able to get some of the tuition funding, and said before the vote that he would try to amend the bill on the House floor to permit state-related students to benefit.

Mr. Rendell has contended that state-related colleges haven't done enough to control their tuition.

Rep. Dante Santoni, D-Berks, committee chairman, had said state-related students might be able to get some tuition relief if the video poker machines produce more than $550 million a year for the state.

Rep. Curt Schroder, R-Montgomery, criticized the bill for not specifically requiring "multiple suppliers" of the video poker machines to bars. He said he fears the Revenue Department will give all the video poker business to a "sole source provider," specifically, he claimed, GTECH.

That company has close ties to Mr. Rendell, Mr. Schroder said. It already runs the central computer system in the Revenue Department, to which the thousands of slot machines in the state's eight casinos are connected.

Mr. Schroder said that lawyer Adrian King of the Philadelphia firm Ballard Spahr represents GTECH and "is close to the governor." Mr. Schroder said that Mr. King is a former member of the Rendell administration and that Mr. Rendell used to be a lawyer with Ballard Spahr, so GTECH's political pull seemed obvious.

Mr. Santoni insisted that the goal was to have many companies provide the video lottery terminals, not just one, but the draft of the bill doesn't specifically require multiple suppliers. The decision would be up to the state revenue secretary, part of the governor's administration.

Mr. Santoni was disappointed by the defeat of the video poker bill today, but vowed to convene another committee meeting, perhaps later today, to take another vote.

The other Democrat against the bill, Mr. O'Brien, said all 14 casinos authorized by a 2004 law should be up and running before legalized gaming is expanded with video poker in bars.

Steve Drachler of the United Methodist Witness in Pennsylvania, an opponent of video poker bill, was pleased by the tie vote. But he said he is "realistic" and realizes things could change if a second vote is held.

"Rep. Thomas is looking for ways to expand the tuition benefits of the bill,'' so it's possible he could change his vote and approve the bill, Mr. Drachler said. "We believe the concept of video poker is a neighborhood killer, it hurts families and teaches our young people that the way to get ahead is to gamble, not work here."

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.