State lawmakers passed a bill Thursday that would allow the state to regulate video poker machines that award non-cash prizes.

The bill’s backers want to crack down on the machines’ under-the-table payouts.

Rep. Matt Ramsey, the bill’s sponsor and a Peachtree City Republican, says there are legal as well as financial reasons to support the bill.

“We’ve had stories come up of millions and millions dollars of cash walking out of these gas stations," he said. "No taxes are being paid, no laws are being followed.”

Under the bill, some of the proceeds would go to the lottery to pay for state college scholarships.

Tags: politics, Georgia Legislature, lottery, video poker