BATON ROUGE, LA. (AP) – The state House decided Tuesday that bars and restaurants should be allowed to hold Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournaments.

The tournaments have been the subject of dispute because the state’s top liquor regulator says they violate Louisiana’s gambling laws. But many lawmakers say they don’t view the poker games as gambling as long as the bars and restaurants don’t get a cut of the wagering.

The bill (House Bill 484) by Representative Warren Triche would allow the businesses to hold poker tournaments once a week for people at least 21 years old — as long as the owner doesn’t get a part of the proceeds and doesn’t charge an entrance fee.

The bars and restaurants wouldn’t be able to operate the tournament, furnish supplies like cards and poker chips, or advertise beyond their regular business signs.

After falling short of the votes needed for passage earlier this session and last year, the bill won passage from the House in a 55-to-45 vote Tuesday.

It heads next to the Senate for debate. Orleans Parish is excluded from the bill.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)