HARRISBURG — State lawmakers are nearing a set of final votes that will determine whether table games such as poker and blackjack will be allowed at Pennsylvania's slots casinos.

House and Senate leaders said this morning a negotiated "consensus" deal could be considered by the joint conference committee as early as this afternoon. Final votes in the two chambers would follow.

Gov. Ed Rendell says revenue from table games is needed to avert the layoffs of nearly 1,000 state workers this week.