BOISE - Idaho senators who say they were duped into approving cleverly disguised slot machines two years ago pushed back Tuesday by voting 25-9 to repeal all instant horse racing in the state.

The bill now goes to the House for approval.

The measure, backed by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, would mean that roughly 250 instant horse racing terminals installed in three locations around Idaho go dark.

Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, argued that the terminals displaying instant horse racing - betting on a previous horse race with no identifiable information - are too similar to an illegal slot machine.

However, Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, the only senator from a district containing both instant racing and Indian tribal gaming, said the issue of legality should be left up to the courts.

Nonini voted against repealing the historic racing legislation.

Last week, Nonini - along with Reps. Ron Mendive, R-Post Falls, Sage Dixon, R-Ponderay, and Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens - sent a letter to Idaho Lottery Director Jeff Anderson asking him to review legality of the video gaming machines at the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's casino.

The letter asked Anderson, who oversees tribal gaming in Idaho, to clarify whether the type of machines the Tribe is using are in compliance with Idaho laws; if the number of machines they have are in compliance with the compact they have with the state of Idaho; and finally if they are in compliance with distributing 5 percent of their net gaming revenues for the benefit of local communities.

"The Coeur d'Alene Tribe has been cooperative in providing evidence of their compliance with the compact terms and Idaho law on these three issue," Anderson wrote in his response.

Anderson went on to explain the history, laws and court rulings that have clearly determined the Tribe's gaming machines do not violate the state's constitution.

"I assure you the Lottery takes its responsibility to monitor tribal gaming compacts seriously," Anderson concluded.

Nonini could not be reached for comment Tuesday.