Lottery measure advances

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Wednesday, May 28, 2003 | 9:33 a.m.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texans could soon play big-payout, multistate Powerball under legislation given preliminary approval Tuesday evening by the Texas House.

Powerball and other multistate games were among the provisions in a measure that allows for the continued existence of the Texas Lottery Commission through 2015.

Powerball, the nation's largest lottery, is played in 23 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Some jackpots have reached more than $200 million.

The measure was OK'd with a voice vote after nearly four hours of debate between gambling critics and supporters of the bill who said cash-strapped Texas couldn't afford to give up the game of chance.