Topeka ? Legislation allowing more gambling in Kansas was rejected in the House on Wednesday as both opponents and supporters found much to criticize in the bill.

Two hours of debate  focusing on the social costs of gambling and whether the bill did enough for the state  preceded the 64-58 vote against advancing the measure to final House action.

Under the bill, slot machines and other electronic gambling devices could be installed at Kansas’ five pari-mutuel race tracks and one at-large site if local voters approved. The bill specifies how profits would be shared among track operators, local governments and the state.

Legislative researchers estimated that the slot machines and such electronic games as video poker would net state government $102 million a year.

But even in the face of the $700 million budget gap now confronting the state, gambling opponents were unmoved.

“Everybody was hoping it was a salvation to bring the state out of poverty,” said Rep. Bill Mason, R-El Dorado. “In fact, it would have done the opposite.”

Mason and other critics said the state would see little or no revenue over the next year because of the time needed to bring slots to the tracks and at-large site.

Also voting against the bill were some supporters of expanded gambling who criticized the state’s proposed 25.5 percent share of profits.

“How can you rationalize not holding out for a higher portion for the state?” said Rep. Ethel Peterson, D-Dodge City. “I still think we should hold out for more.”

Numerous amendments to increase the revenues to cities and counties failed.

Track owners have pushed expanded gambling as a way to save their struggling businesses, hurt by casinos in Missouri and on Kansas’ Indian reservations, and to keep Kansas gamblers’ dollars in Kansas.

Supporters estimated the new machines would generate $320 million to $400 million a year after payouts, but critics called those figures optimistic.

The bill would require the machines to pay out at least 87 percent. Besides the state’s share of profit, the measure apportioned 67 percent to track owners and the rest to local governments, prizes in dog and horse races, charities and programs for addicted gamblers.

Both the House and Senate rejected similar measures last year.

Rep. Clay Aurand, a leading proponent of this year’s bill, said it has little chance of coming up again in the current legislative session.

“If you can’t do it with a $700 million hole in the budget, I don’t know when you’ll get it done,” said Aurand, R-Courtland.

But one gambling opponent wasn’t sure the debate is over. Sen. Nancey Harrington, R-Goddard, who chairs the Senate’s Federal and State Affairs Committee, acknowledged that the session is waning.

However, she added, “Slots don’t die until the last nail is placed in the coffin, which would be the last day.”

Gambling bill is HB 2890.