Idaho Gov. Butch Otter is pleased that talk of reviving the lucrative practice of instant horse racing terminals in the state has rekindled, but stiff opposition from some legislators stands in the way.

Racing groups are urging the Idaho Racing Commission to sign off on a last-ditch effort to save their faltering industry after failing to convince the Legislature to reinstate the betting machines.

There's talk of reviving the practice through a rule-making process, which would require Otter's approval.

Temporary administrative rules can be created by agencies such as the racing commission. They carry the same weight as laws. However, they need legislative approval to remain in effect long-term.

Otter said two years ago he called for a public discussion about the future of Idaho's horse racing industry so he's pleased the matter is back on the table.

"Since then there has been little discussion and even less movement toward preserving horse racing in Idaho …" Otter said. "I applaud the racing commission for trying to reopen the discussion that I’ve been hoping to see and which the industry deserves. I’m interested in pursuing a constructive dialogue …"

Mark Warbis of Otter's office said no additional meetings on the horse racing discussion have been scheduled after last week's racing commission gathering in which no action was taken.

"But the governor hopes a meaningful discussion will emerge …" Warbis said.

Instant horse racing allows bettors to place wagers on prior horse races that are videotaped with no identifiable information about the horses or results. The machines are seen as the key tools to bringing cash back into the horse racing industry, which has struggled to remain competitive against online gaming and other forms of gambling.

Two years after approving the practice, the Legislature in 2015 banned it because some lawmakers felt they had been duped into legalizing slot machines.

When the terminals were installed, they were different than those shown to the Legislature and looked like slots, lawmakers said.

Otter then attempted to veto the legislation, but the Idaho Supreme Court later ruled he waited too long. At the time, Otter felt Idaho's Western culture was at stake and urged the Legislature to find a compromise that would allow horsemen to continue their livelihood that included instant racing.

Interest in reviving the instant racing debate drew legislative fire last week when Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill emailed the governor's office a link to a story about the Texas Legislature defunding its racing commission for bringing back instant horse racing without legislative approval.

Hill told The Press on Tuesday the current issue is not about instant horse racing, but that the racing commission could violate the Constitution and circumvent the legislative process.

"The Legislature made it very clear on a strong, bipartisan vote two years ago that instant horse racing slot machines were unconstitutional and illegal," he said. "If the Idaho Racing Commission were to create a rule authorizing the operation of the slot machines, it would be in blatant defiance of the legislative process and contrary to the will of Idaho’s citizens as expressed through their elected representatives."

Hill said whether or not instant horse racing machines are good public policy is no longer the question. That was resolved by the Legislature earlier, he said.

"The challenge facing us now is protecting the separation of powers — the checks and balances — established by our Constitution," he said. "To allow an agency in the executive branch of government to illegally set policy contrary to the laws established by the Legislature is not only imprudent, but also establishes a dangerous precedent. The Legislature can not and must not stand idly by and allow such efforts to go unchecked."

Heather Keen, spokeswoman for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, said the Tribe will monitor the debate closely for the rest of the legislative session. The Tribe was among the supporters of prohibiting instant racing who argued the devices installed more closely resembled slot machines rather than ones that allow bets on historical races.

"The Tribe supported the Idaho Legislature's stance on (Senate Bill) 1011 to repeal and prohibit instant racing in 2015 and we continue to support the Legislature's efforts to uphold the law," Keen said.

Doug Okuniewicz, general manager of the Greyhound Park and Event Center in Post Falls, declined to comment on the rekindling of the instant racing debate in Idaho. He did not respond to a message asking why he declined to comment.

The Greyhound Park and Event Center was among the venues that had to remove the instant racing gaming machines after the Legislature banned the practice.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.