poker halls

The state would tax the growing charitable poker industry under a tentative deal cut by Senate and House negotiators yesterday. The deal also doubled the size of the maximum bet at such games, from $2 to $4.

The so-called poker tax, of 10 percent per chip, is expected to bring the state $2 million a year, according to state estimates. The proposed bill also steps up enforcement, providing for three new auditors and one supervisor at the Pari-Mutuel Commission to oversee the growing poker rooms, where a cut of every pot goes to charity.

Gov. John Lynch has thrown his support behind the tax as one step toward closing the expected $200 million budget deficit.