(JUNEAU) - The House of Representatives passed HB 552, a bill establishing an Alaska Gaming Commission. The bill, sponsored by the House Finance Committee Co-Chair Representative John Harris (R-Valdez), passed the floor on reconsideration by a vote of 22-18.

The Commission would be charged with regulation, oversight and enforcement of gaming statutes. The bill establishes those statutes and would allow the commission to issues gaming licenses to gambling facilities in the state that are in municipalities with a population of at least 150,000 people.

HB 552 was amended on the House floor to require that a municipality seeking a gambling license must receive the support of a majority of the municipality's voters.

House Speaker Pete Kott was pleased with the outcome of the vote. "Alaska is one of the only states in the nation that doesn't have some form of gaming oversight. This commission will add that oversight to ensure that any present and future gaming operations will continue to operate within the laws as established by the legislature."

HB 552 now moves to the Alaska State Senate for consideration.

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