MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A state Senate committee has approved a statewide referendum on electronic bingo, and proponents plan to take it to the Senate now for a quick vote.

The Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee voted 6-2 Tuesday for a proposed constitutional amendment by Democratic Sen. Roger Bedford of Russellville. It would allow Alabama citizens to vote on having electronic bingo casinos in 10 locations.

Senate Rules Committee Chairman Lowell Barron said he hopes to bring up the bill for debate in the Senate on Thursday or next Tuesday. He and Sen. President Pro Tem Rodger Smitherman said the bill is a priority because thousands of jobs have been lost in electronic bingo casinos that have closed for fear of being raided by the governor’s gambling task force.