HARRISBURG -- The state House tonight overwhelmingly approved more than 40 changes, many of them significant, to the law that will create 14 slots casinos in Pennsylvania.

The vote after more than two hours of heated debate was 161 to 30. The bill now goes to the Senate, which may act tomorrow.

House Majority Leader Sam Smith, R-Punxsutawney, urged his colleagues to approve the bill, which he called "a major improvement over the current gaming law."

Rep. Mike Turzai, R-Bradford Woods, agreed, calling it "a true gambling reform bill. It essentially eliminates slots suppliers and eliminates the 1 percent ownership interest for public officials."

The Senate doesn't have much time to debate the slots amendments because it plans to adjourn tomorrow night and won't return for about a month.

The House tonight agreed with a major move made by the Senate in late September, concerning who will have the authority to ban smoking in casinos.

Both chambers said that counties, cities or local municipalities wouldn't be allowed to impose smoking bans at casinos.

Mr. Smith said the Legislature would retain sole power to do that. And the Legislature isn't expected to ban smoking in casinos. Some lawmakers fear that bans on cigarettes would reduce the number of slots players and thus reduce the amount of revenue available to reduce property taxes.

Allegheny and Philadelphia counties have enacted smoking bans for workplaces, including restaurants, bars, taverns and casinos. But the county bans on casino smoking wouldn't be enforceable under the state amendment.

Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill, criticized that portion of the bill, saying, "Local governments should be able to prohibit smoking in all public places, including casinos. We should protect the health of citizens."

First Published: October 17, 2006, 4:00 a.m.