HARRISBURG — A spokesman said this morning that Gov. Ed Rendell will sign a bill to legalize table games such as blackjack and poker if it gets through the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Rendell press secretary Gary Tuma confirmed the governor's intentions today, hours before House debate on final passage was scheduled to get under way.

The bill that passed the state Senate late Tuesday authorizes larger casinos to install 250 tables, while the smaller resorts casinos could have 50.

Revenue from the licenses is needed to help pay the state's bills as the recession continues to ravage state tax collections.