BATON ROUGE -- A bill that would let bars and restaurants in Louisiana hold the popular Texas Hold 'Em poker tournaments was sidelined today in the state Senate, likely killing the measure for the legislative session.

Senators voted 22-to-14 for a procedural motion to shelve the House-approved bill (House Bill 484).

The tournaments have been the subject of dispute because the state's top liquor regulator says they violate Louisiana's gambling laws. Supporters 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 by Representative Warren Triche, of Thibodaux, 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 part of the proceeds, doesn't charge an entrance fee and doesn't operate the tournament.

Opponents say the poker tournaments would hurt charitable gaming operations, and they said the bill would expand gambling in Louisiana to more than 20,000 bars.

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