A late night vote in the Texas House killed a bill to restore gaming rights to the Tigua Tribe and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe.

The vote on the bill was 66-66. Under legislative rules, a tie means a failure.

"I have no idea what to make of it," Tigua Lt. Gov. Carlos Hisa told The El Paso Times.

The bill would have allowed the tribes to reopen their Class III casinos, which were shut down by the state. It would have given them a defense from prosecution under state gambling laws.

"They're criminals," state Rep. Will Hartnett, a Republican, said of the tribes, The Times reported.

The tribes could seek action from Congress but they face enormous opposition from Rep. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who served as state attorney general when he went after the casinos.

Get the Story:
Lawmakers kill casino gambling bill (The El Paso Times 5/4)
Casino bill fails in the House (The Dallas Morning News 5/4)
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