LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lawmakers have defeated a measure that could have opened the door to expanded gambling in Nebraska.

Senators voted 27-16 on Monday to indefinitely postpone the proposal after less than an hour of debate. The proposed ballot measure by Sen. Paul Schumacher would have given lawmakers the power to regulate gambling, if voters had approved it.

The measure faced heavy opposition from gambling opponents, who argued that voters have already decided the issue.