MIDWEST CITY, Okla. -- The debate over a gaming bill heated up Monday as a leading foe disputed arguments the measure would raise $71 million and said he had received threatening telephone calls.

Rep. Forrest Claunch, R-Midwest City, said there is no way the bill would raise the amount of money supporters say it will.

However, Scott Meacham, director of the Office of state Finance and lead negotiator on Indian gaming compacts, said he is "very confident" the bill will bring in $71 million when fully implemented.

Claunch held a news conference to denounce the bill, which Gov. Brad Henry has promoted as a means to save the horse race industry and 50,000 state jobs.

The lawmaker said expanding gaming to three pari-mutuel race tracks in the state will exacerbate the social problems associated with gambling, such as addiction to the activity, divorce and suicide.

Meacham said gambling at Indian casinos is growing rapidly and the legislation allows for regulation of them by the state for the first time.

He said it would allow for some of the money that now is taken out of Oklahoma by out-of-state gamblers to remain in the state to help fund education.

Asked about any alternatives to help the financially ailing horse industry, Claunch said he was "not out looking for a way to save jobs that were created specifically for the purpose of gaming."

He said supporters of the gaming bill are trying to get through the Legislature what they could not get approved at the ballot box a few years ago -- casino gambling.

Claunch also said he had received threatening and intimidating telephone calls from a proponent of the bill and had authorized the tapping of his telephone by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

He said it was his understanding that the OSBI was turning over recordings of the threats to the Oklahoma County district attorney.

Claunch said he received several calls from a man who was irate because of his position.

"The point is no legislator should be subjected to someone threatening them, that they would come to their house and kick their down their door because of their vote," Claunch said.

He said a police officer was at his house in Midwest City during one of the calls and talked to the man.

Claunch declined to identify the caller.