A bill that threatened to close Portland's increasingly popular poker rooms has quietly folded at the Oregon Legislature.

"It's dead," said

, chairman of the House Rules Committee where

was last seen alive.

The bill, sponsored by

, R-West Linn, drew some attention because it had the early backing of House Speaker Tina Kotek, a Portland Democrat who is concerned about what she sees as a proliferation of casino-style gambling in the city.

At a hearing for the bill, Parrish said the clubs -- which offer Texas Hold 'Em games and tournaments in Portland and around the state --

by charging admission fees and allowing dealers to be tipped.

But it soon became clear that much of the political energy behind the bill was coming from casino operators in La Center, Wash., who would rather not have the competition. The bill also drew complaints from club owners and players that it would shut down viable small businesses, and spoil a lot of fun at the same time.

"I don't sense any appetite in the Legislature to shut them down," Garrett said. "But there may be a regulatory void that needs to be filled."

Geoff Sugarman, a lobbyist who was hired by a consortium of club owners and supporters, said it's possible the Legislature would set up a work group or task force to look at updating the state's social gaming rules.

"It truly is a statute that needs significant upgrades in a number of areas," Sugarman said. "It makes sense to take at least the interim until next February and figure out exactly how to do it."

– Harry Esteve